MADRID – A dramatic turn of events has seen Morocco declared champions of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) annulled Senegal’s victory in the final. The decision, revealed on March 17, 2026, came after the match, and sparked celebrations for the Moroccan team, including Real Madrid forward Brahim Díaz.
Díaz, 26, was already enjoying a successful evening, having played a part in Real Madrid’s 2-1 victory over Manchester City in the Champions League round of 16, securing their place in the quarter-finals. The news of the AFCON reversal reached him shortly after the match, delivered by a member of the Real Madrid staff even as still on the pitch at the Etihad Stadium. According to reports, Díaz reacted with a visible smile.
The circumstances surrounding the CAF’s decision remain somewhat unclear, but it effectively awards the continental trophy to Morocco. Díaz had been a central figure in the AFCON final itself, though remembered for a missed penalty during regulation time – an attempt made with a risky *panenka* – which ultimately didn’t decide the match at the time. The initial outcome had been a source of disappointment for the player, but the subsequent ruling dramatically altered the narrative.
While Díaz himself remained tight-lipped about the decision when approached by reporters in the mixed zone after the Champions League match, his Real Madrid teammate Aurélien Tchouaméni expressed his joy and support. “Really? I don’t know what to say, I’m sure Brahim will be very happy, but I don’t know why it happened or what happened,” Tchouaméni said in a video shared by Spanish media outlet Teledeporte. “But if Brahim is champion of Africa, we will give him a gift with the whole team.”
As of Wednesday morning, March 18, 2026, Díaz had not publicly commented on the CAF’s decision on his social media channels, instead focusing on sharing images from Real Madrid’s Champions League triumph. This silence, however, doesn’t diminish the significance of the moment for the player and the Moroccan national team.
Brahim Díaz’s journey to this point has been noteworthy. Born in Málaga, Spain, to a Spanish mother and a Moroccan-Riffian father, he began his youth career at Málaga before moving to Manchester City at age 16 in 2015. He later joined Real Madrid in 2019, spending three seasons on loan at AC Milan (2020-2023) before returning to the Spanish capital. He officially represents the Morocco national team, having switched his international allegiance in 2024.
Díaz’s versatility as an attacking midfielder or winger has made him a valuable asset for both Real Madrid and Morocco. As of March 14, 2026, he has made 97 appearances for Real Madrid, scoring 13 goals, and 22 appearances for Morocco, also scoring 13 goals. He was also a member of the Moroccan squad that won the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, now officially recognized following the CAF’s decision.
The CAF’s decision is sure to spark further debate and scrutiny regarding the administration of African football. However, for Brahim Díaz and the Moroccan team, it represents a historic moment and a hard-fought victory, albeit one achieved under unusual circumstances. The Real Madrid squad, as promised by Tchouaméni, is expected to acknowledge their teammate’s achievement with a celebratory gesture.
Díaz currently wears the number 21 shirt for Real Madrid and stands at 1.70 meters (5 feet 7 inches) tall. He weighs 68 kg. His career statistics, as of March 14, 2026, show 30 matches played this season with 1 goal and 4 assists, totaling 934 minutes on the pitch. He has taken 14 shots and received 22 fouls.
Real Madrid will now turn their attention to the Champions League quarter-finals, while Díaz will undoubtedly be celebrated by his teammates and fans for his achievement with Morocco. The next confirmed match for Real Madrid is yet to be determined, pending the Champions League draw.
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