This Real Madrid star was reportedly linked with Liverpool as a potential Mohamed Salah replacement roughly one year ago but will now be remembered for a costly error
Brahim Diaz was linked with Liverpool last year before his grave AFCON mistake(Image: Getty)
Real Madrid and Morocco’s Brahim Diaz will be forever remembered for his costly penalty miss during the Africa Cup of Nations final. But just one year ago he was being tipped as a potential replacement for Mohamed Salah at Liverpool.
The 26-year-old is a product of Manchester City’s academy, having joined from his hometown club Malaga when he was just 16. He moved to Real Madrid in 2019 and has been at the Bernabeu ever since, although he spent three seasons on loan at AC Milan from 2020 to 2023.
Diaz switched his allegiance from Spain to Morocco two years ago and shone at AFCON, finishing as the tournament’s top scorer. Yet, his name will always be associated with a tumultuous final, where a disallowed Senegal goal and a late controversial penalty decision for Morocco led to Diaz’s opponents briefly leaving the pitch.
The forward was given the dubious penalty and made an even more questionable choice, deciding to panenka the spot kick straight into the welcoming arms of goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. After being substituted in extra time, he was seen crying on the bench as his country lost 1-0.
FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE! All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo’s dedicated LFC Facebook page
However, only a year ago, Diaz was surrounded by a much more positive narrative. With Liverpool star Salah yet to sign a new contract at Anfield, the highly-rated Diaz was being suggested as his possible successor.
By January 2025, eventual Premier League winners Liverpool were enjoying an impressive run, yet Anfield was dominated by speculation surrounding star attacker Salah.
The Egyptian international was approaching the final months of his contract and talks over an extension had hit an impasse, sparking considerable speculation. The club were said to be exploring the transfer market for a potential successor to Salah.
Diaz was among the names reportedly identified by the Reds, given his ability to play out wide as well as cutting inside. They were understood to be competing with both Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund for his services.
Ultimately, Salah extended his Liverpool contract by a further two years, though he has since fallen down the pecking order under Arne Slot. He may well depart in the coming months following a damning 2025 interview in which he suggested he had been thrown under the bus and that someone at the club wanted him out.
Diaz, meanwhile, stayed at Real Madrid and continues to be part of the first-team setup, though largely appearing as a substitute. He has been named in the starting XI for only three La Liga matches this campaign.
However, for the foreseeable future, his controversial penalty call at AFCON whilst representing Morocco will likely define Diaz’s reputation and following the incident, he issued a heartfelt apology.
“I failed and I take full responsibility and apologise with all my heart,” Diaz said. “It will be hard for me to recover because this wound does not heal easily, but I will try.
“Not for myself, but for all who believed in me and for all who suffered with me. I will keep going until someday I can give back all this love and be a pride for my Moroccan people.”
