Many say Brahim Diaz is privileged, but his career, like that of every other professional player, is filled with highs and lows. The Spain-born playmaker began his career with Malaga’s youth team before joining Manchester City. He established himself as one of the most exciting youngsters under the guidance of Pep Guardiola, who took his development very seriously.
Diaz has since played in Spain and Italy, with Real Madrid sanctioning a three-year loan for Brahim Diaz to join AC Milan before returning to the Los Blancos last summer. Although Diaz has a more stable career at Real Madrid, his international career is very uncertain, as he’s in the middle of a decision to switch countries.
Brahim Diaz rejects Spain to represent Morocco
Brahim Diaz has been at a crossroads since January 2023, when it was first announced that the youngster would like to switch his nationality to Morocco and represent the African nation instead of Spain, where he has played at all levels, from the Under-17s to the senior team, as he made his senior debut in 2021 in a 4-0 win over Lithuania, marking it with a very special goal.
Diaz was born in Malaga, Spain, to a Spanish mother. He has done well to represent the country of his birth. However, a big question has been around his future in the senior team, prompting him to announce his intentions to switch allegiance to Morocco, his father’s country. Marca even reported last October that Brahim Diaz’s decision was final despite some attempts from Spain to convince him to change his mind.
The final steps are now being taken. Fabrizio Romano reported yesterday that Diaz’s decision has been communicated to the Moroccan Football Federation, and the switch could be made official any minute. If it goes through, Diaz will be teammates with other players across Europe, including Achraf Hakimi, Hakim Ziyech, Sofian Amrabat, and many others.
It would be nice to be part of the squad that defied all expectations and made it to the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. France defeated them 2-0 despite pushing Argentina all the way to the championship game but falling short of the eventual winners.
Diaz’s performance this season in numbers
While Brahim Diaz’s international career is hanging in the balance, the former Manchester City youngster is enjoying stability in club football. He is trusted as a key figure in this current youthful but explosive Real Madrid team, alongside other young players like Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Jr., Rodrygo, Fede Valverde, and many others.
Diaz has been an important player for the club this season. Despite not being a guaranteed starter, Diaz has scored eight goals in all competitions this season, assisting a further four to take his total goal contribution to 12 in all competitions. Four of those goals have come in La Liga, with the first one coming in a Man-of-the-Match performance against Las Palmas, where he scored one of the two goals for the team.
He has also been decisive in the UCL this season, with his goal against Leipzig in the round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League guaranteeing Real Madrid’s qualification to the next round. The incredible goal also earned him the Man of the Match award, marking the incredible season the 24-year-old is having.
His contributions could help Real Madrid win a treble this season. They’re points clear at the top of La Liga and into the UCL quarterfinals.
