It is impossible to escape the presence of Brahim Diaz at the Africa Cup of Nations, both on and off the pitch. From towering city billboards to television commercials, the Morocco midfielder has become the face of the tournament — and his performances have more than justified the spotlight.
On the field, Diaz has been nothing short of sensational. The Spanish-born playmaker has scored in each of Morocco’s five matches, a remarkable run that has driven the Atlas Lions into the AFCON semi-finals and kept alive their quest for a first continental title in 50 years.
Yet it is not only his goals that have made Diaz one of the standout performers of the competition. His relentless dribbling, close control and ability to unsettle defenders have turned him into a crowd favourite at his first Cup of Nations.
That influence was on full display in Friday’s quarter-final victory over Cameroon, where head coach Walid Regragui praised a noticeable evolution in the midfielder’s game.
“What I like is that he didn’t just score, he changed his mentality,” Regragui said.
“He ran, he fought, he kept possession. He sent a message to his teammates. It’s very important for the team’s morale when your best player works like that.
“He can be the best player in the world if he wants to be.”
An Unlikely Icon for Morocco
Despite speaking better English than Arabic, Diaz has emerged as an unlikely poster boy for Morocco. The 26-year-old, born in Malaga, has deep Moroccan roots through his father, who hails from Melilla, the Spanish enclave on Morocco’s mainland, while his mother is Spanish.
Diaz’s football journey began early. Manchester City signed him at the age of 14, prompting his family to relocate to England, where his father adopted his mother’s surname to ease integration. His rapid development saw him make 15 senior appearances under Pep Guardiola before earning a move to Real Madrid at 19.
While regular first-team opportunities in LaLiga have been limited, Diaz has found a new stage to showcase his talent on the African continent.
From Spain to Morocco
Morocco’s long-standing strategy of recruiting players from its European diaspora paid off handsomely when Diaz switched allegiance after earning a single cap for Spain in a 2021 friendly against Lithuania. Spanish media later suggested the lack of sustained interest from La Roja influenced his decision.
Since making his Morocco debut in a 2024 friendly against Angola, Diaz has never looked back. He now boasts 13 goals in 20 international appearances, quickly establishing himself as one of Africa’s most decisive attacking players.
