Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique defended Brahim Díaz, stating that he is “neither an assassin nor a bad person,” following Díaz’s missed penalty in Morocco’s defeat to Senegal in the Africa Cup of Nations final.
The penalty, which could have clinched the AFCON title for Morocco, was marred by a delay of 17 minutes due to protests from Senegal. Ultimately, rather than scoring, the Real Madrid player executed a panenka that found its way into goalkeeper Édouard Mendy’s hands.
While acknowledging that Díaz’s unusual penalty attempt in stoppage time was “bizarre,” Enrique told reporters in Monday’s PSG news conference, “I can understand how difficult it is to accept and it was peculiar.” He emphasized the importance of sportsmanship, saying, “It’s just a game; the outcome is not the end of the world. We should value the lessons we can impart to young players during these challenging times.” Enrique noted the significant pressure young athletes face and urged respect for their experiences.
After Díaz’s missed opportunity, Senegal secured a 1-0 win with a goal from Pape Gueye in extra time, taking place in Rabat, Morocco’s capital.
Enrique further discussed Díaz’s situation with his squad, noting that missed penalty attempts are not uncommon at critical moments in football. He recalled instances of other renowned players, such as Zinedine Zidane and Sergio Ramos, attempting panenka penalties in high-pressure games.
“When such penalties succeed, everyone applauds, but when they fail, the criticism mounts,” Enrique remarked, expressing sympathy for Díaz, whom he knows well.
Díaz, who previously played for Spain’s youth teams and received his senior debut under Enrique in 2021, chose to represent Morocco internationally. Enrique described him as “an outstanding player and a great individual,” stating, “It’s truly unfair to witness this.” Former Real Madrid and Spain captain Ramos also showed support for Díaz, encouraging him to keep his chin up, saying, “Football always offers a chance for redemption, and you’ve contributed far more to the game than what was lost today.”
In response to his missed penalty, Díaz expressed his regret for not securing the much-anticipated AFCON title for Morocco after a 50-year wait. Despite this setback, he finished the tournament as the top scorer and earned the Golden Boot.
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On Instagram, Díaz shared his gratitude for the support he received: “Thank you for all the love, every message, and gesture that made me feel supported. I left everything on the field, but I recognize my responsibility for yesterday’s failure, and I sincerely apologize. The pain of this moment won’t fade easily, but I will strive to move forward for those who believed in me and shared this journey with me.” He concluded, “I will continue until I can repay this love and bring pride to my Moroccan compatriots.”