CAN 2025: Ezzalzouli reacts after final defeat and defends Díaz | OneFootball

CAN 2025: Ezzalzouli's first words after the final defeat

Ez Abde / @x.com/lavozvb/

Moroccan international Abdessamad Ezzalzouli arrived in Seville on Monday evening, where he immediately returned to training with Real Betis, just a day after his journey with the Moroccan national team at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations came to an end.

Beaten in the final by Senegal (1-0), the Atlas Lions saw the trophy slip away at the end of a tightly contested match. Upon his arrival at Seville airport, Ezzalzouli spoke briefly to the cameras of Spanish channel El Chiringuito TV, discussing the CAN final and his return to club competition.

Ezzalzouli turns the page and supports Ibrahim Diaz

Reflecting on the defeat in the final, the Real Betis player admitted: "The final was tough to digest, but now my focus is solely on Betis."

Asked about Ibrahim Diaz's missed penalty, the Moroccan player was keen to stress that it was a personal decision: "It was his choice and it must be respected."

Amid the wave of criticism aimed at Díaz, Ezzalzouli also offered his support: "I think this criticism will make him stronger and turn him into a better player. I haven't spoken with him yet."

Finally, the Moroccan attacking midfielder reassured fans about his physical condition, although he left his participation in the next match up in the air: "I feel very good physically. We'll see how things go tomorrow, and I hope to be able to play on Thursday."