Since his debut for Morocco, Brahim Díaz has scored 14 goals and provided four assists in 28 matches. This is the best average in the national team's history, and at 26 years old, he's on track to break Ahmed Faras's scoring record of 36 goals. Two of those assists came in the first two matches of a World Cup that has confirmed his superstar status in Morocco and across Africa. He's been given the number 10 jersey, has more sponsors than anyone else around him, has seen his social media following skyrocket, and is attracting interest from several European clubs, although his only focus is on staying with José Mourinho's new Real Madrid.
"He's the player with the most sponsors in all of Africa," sources from the Moroccan Football Federation told this newspaper. Orange, Visa, Bank of Africa, the Moroccan National Tourist Office, gas stations, food brands... His face appears on countless billboards and television commercials throughout the country. This media explosion is also reflected on the team's jerseys. Along with that of captain Achraf Hakimi, it's the most requested jersey by fans in the official store.
And yet, the decision to represent the North African nation wasn't quick. The African Federation waited for him for several years, trying to convince him with every call, every message, every in-person meeting... But Brahim always asked for time. He had played for Spain at youth levels and had even made his senior debut in a friendly in 2021. Brahim's answer was always the same: "I want to play for Spain."
Born in Málaga, he made the final decision in March 2024. Tired of waiting for a call from Luis de la Fuente and the Spanish Federation despite playing well for Real Madrid, and unsure of securing a regular place in the Spanish squad, he accepted Morocco's offer. The African nation turned his case into a "matter of national importance," as sources in the North African country admitted at the time, and provided him with every opportunity to become a football and media star.
"I feel at home"
Two years later, the Andalusian player says he is "very happy" with that decision. While Spain lifted the European Championship in the summer of 2024, Morocco, amidst controversy, was declared the winner of last year's Africa Cup of Nations, with Brahim winning the tournament's Golden Boot. It could be said that all three parties involved in the dispute—Spain, Brahim, and Morocco—are happy with the decision. "He can be the best player in the world if he wants," said Walid Regragui, the former Moroccan national team coach, during the Africa Cup of Nations. "I feel at home. I feel good, and I know that people love me," the footballer declared at the tournament.
The player has achieved star status on one of the World Cup's surprise teams, has secured multi-million dollar sponsorship deals, has doubled his social media followers from six million to almost 13 million, and hopes to maintain his place at Mourinho's Real Madrid despite the tempting offers from clubs across Europe. Juventus is the club that has shown the most interest in signing him, but the Andalusian, whose contract runs until 2027, has his first thought, pending a conversation with the Portuguese coach, is to renew with Real Madrid.
Real Madrid, which is currently analyzing potential departures this transfer window, is happy with the player, his importance within the dressing room, the role he has played in recent years, and, incidentally, the media influence he has in Portugal.
Meanwhile, at Morocco's training camp in New York, Brahim isn't dwelling on his future and is focused on his team's chances at the World Cup. "We have a very balanced team and we can do great things together," he said recently, always close to Achraf, Bono, and Abde, his best friends on the national team, who, like him, speak Spanish.
Together, the Atlas Lions have created one of the most exciting projects in mid-table football today, with the 2030 World Cup as their goal, but with the Qatar semifinals and the hope of this tournament serving as motivators. "We all have that street football, the neighborhood football. The kind you go out to enjoy, the kind that connects with your teammates, the one-on-one passes," Brahim explained to DAZN this week.