Real Madrid star confident about his chances in battle for starting spot with youngster | OneFootball

Along with Dani Ceballos and Rodrygo Goes, Brahim Diaz was another Real Madrid player who came away from the UEFA Champions League match against Kairat Almaty with credit.

The Moroccan international came on as a late substitute in Kazakhstan on Tuesday night and capped off the cameo with a goal, scoring his team’s fifth of the match.

Brahim confident heading into battle with Mastantuono

Now, according to MARCA, Brahim feels confident about himself and his chances as he battles with Franco Mastantuono for the starting spot on the right flank.

So far this season, Brahim has played seven times in all competitions, but started only two matches – both in La Liga, with manager Xabi Alonso seemingly preferring the young summer signing over the 26-year-old.

However, Brahim has recorded one goal and one assist in 224 minutes, a return that, statistically, surpasses Mastantuono’s contribution (one goal in 463 minutes).

Brahim wants to start more matches. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

As such, Brahim wants more than cameos – he wants starts. His mission is to make things difficult for the manager through humility and continued hard work.

The 26-year-old versatile star was often the ‘twelfth man’ under former manager Carlo Ancelotti, making valuable contributions whenever called upon.

So far, he has held a similar role under Alonso in the new season, but Brahim wants more – he seeks to establish himself as a starter and is confident he can earn his spot ahead of Mastantuono.

Since returning to Real Madrid from AC Milan in the summer of 2023 after three seasons away on loan, Brahim has scored 19 goals and provided 20 assists in total.

A contract extension has already been agreed between himself and the club to prolong his stay beyond 2027.