“‘My soul hurts’: Brahim Diaz issues emotional apology after decisive AFCON penalty miss vs Senegal” | OneFootball

Brahim Diaz has issued an apology following his costly penalty miss in the Africa Cup of Nations final.

Diaz squandered the chance to win the tournament for host nation Morocco, as his effort was saved by Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy deep into stoppage time. The midfielder attempted a 'Panenka' penalty but chipped the spot-kick straight into Mendy, who read the situation.

The penalty was the last kick of normal time with the game goalless, taken in the 24th minute of stoppage time, after the Senegal squad left the pitch in protest at the penalty decision.

Morocco had hoped to win their first AFCON title in 50 years on home soil, but lost in extra time as Pape Gueye's goal crowned Senegal champions for a second time.

Diaz - who ended the tournament with the AFCON Golden Boot after scoring five times - was distraught after his miss and was substituted early in extra time as he struggled to recover mentally from the miss.

The Real Madrid star has now taken to social media to apologise to the Morocco fans, insisting he will 'keep going' in a bid to bring success to the nation.

"My soul hurts. I dreamed of this title thanks to all the love you all gave me, every message, every show of support that made me feel I wasn’t alone. I fought with everything I had, with my heart above all else," Diaz said.

"Yesterday I failed and I take full responsibility. I apologise from the bottom of my heart.

"It will be hard for me to recover, because this wound doesn’t heal easily… but I will try. Not for myself, but for everyone who believed in me and for everyone who suffered with me.

"I will keep going forward until one day I can give you all this love back and become a source of pride for my Moroccan people"