Former Barcelona manager shows support for Real Madrid star after AFCON heartbreak: ‘It’s just sports’ | OneFootball

The past day has perhaps been the most painful one for Real Madrid’s Brahim Diaz in a long time, and possibly for a long time to come.

After a dream run at the AFCON with Morocco, the player had the chance to bury the result and secure the title for his country with what was possibly the final kick of the game. 

He had the ball at his feet and no one between him and the goalkeeper as he stepped up for the penalty, and had he scored, Morocco would certainly be the champions.

Brahim, however, attempted a flashy Panenka, which backfired and took the game to extra time where Senegal triumphed.

Sextuple-winning manager’s backing

Amid all the backlash that Brahim is facing, there is also a certain part of the footballing community that understands his pain and is genuinely standing up for him during the trying times.

One of the big voices in football who has now come out in his support is Luis Enrique, who likened Brahim’s effort to Zinedine Zidane’s legendary penalty in the World Cup.

Brahim Diaz missed a crucial penalty in the AFCON final. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

“We talked about Brahim’s panenka on the bus today. I remember Zidane, a football God, who did that during a World Cup.”

“When it works, everyone applauds; when you miss, there’s a lot of criticism,” he said.

Praising the player and taking his side in the entire fiasco, the former Barcelona manager said,

“Brahim, I know him: he’s a magnificent, exceptional player.”

Finally, he called out that all the attacks and criticism that he is facing at the moment are uncalled for and that there should be more in his support.

“What’s happening right now is very unfair. It’s just sports, he’s not a murderer or a bad person.”

Source: MARCA