- Home >
- Soccer >
- CAF Africa Cup of Nations >
- Abde Backs Brahim Díaz After AFCON Final: “This Will Make Him Stronger”
Abde Backs Brahim Díaz After AFCON Final: “This Will Make Him Stronger”
The wound is still open, but the locker room is not pointing fingers. Abde broke his silence after the final and delivered a clear message for Brahim Díaz.
A Message From the Moroccan Locker Room
After returning to Seville following the AFCON, Abde Ezzalzouli was one of the first voices from the Moroccan locker room to publicly address what happened in the final against Senegal. Without dramatizing the situation or avoiding the topic, the Real Betis winger chose a message of full support for Brahim Díaz, the unintended protagonist of the tournament’s most cruel ending.
Abde made it clear that the penalty decision was a personal one made by the Real Madrid player and that, beyond the result, the group respects his bravery in such a decisive moment.
“It Was His Decision and It Has to Be Respected”
Upon arriving at San Pablo Airport, Abde spoke calmly about an action that marked the entire Moroccan national team.
“I prefer not to talk about what happened in the final, but I think this will make Brahim stronger,” he said, distancing himself from any criticism of the Panenka-style penalty that was saved by Edouard Mendy.
The message was clear: the mistake does not define the player. For Abde, experiences like this are part of the growth of a footballer destined to play an important role both at club level and with the national team.
From Emotional Blow to Focus on Betis
Beyond the episode in the final, Abde admitted the outcome was “painful,” but he also made it clear that his focus is already on the decisive stretch of the season with Betis. After playing 120 minutes in the final, the winger showed his willingness to compete immediately if the coaching staff deems it appropriate.
The Moroccan international pointed to the European clash against PAOK as a “very exciting” challenge, reflecting a mindset of turning the page without forgetting the lessons learned.
A Closing Without Blame
In a context where criticism and attention heavily targeted Brahim Díaz, Abde’s words serve as an internal reminder: the locker room protects its own. The final was lost, but the message is one of unity and support.
Because in elite football, falling also builds character. And in Morocco, they know it.
