Real Madrid’s Brahim Díaz Sparks Ballon d’Or Buzz After Late Heroics for Morocco

"Brahim, Ballon d’Or!", chanted Moroccan supporters in unison after Brahim Díaz’s saving goal against Lesotho on Monday in Agadir (1-0). The native of Malaga had scored a goal against Gabon (4-1) on September 6, during the first round of qualifications for the next Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) which will take place in Morocco from December 21, 2025 to January 18, 2026, recalls Marca.

The African Ballon d’Or is awarded by CAF (Confederation of African Football) to the "best African player of the year". As in previous years, the ceremony will take place at the end of December in Morocco. But before that, CAF will publish an initial list of 30 players, from which the list of the ten nominated players for the Ballon d’Or will be extracted.

During the 23-24 season, the Real Madrid striker won the Champions League, La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup with his club. This 24-25 season, he won the European Super Cup, details the Spanish media. With the Merengues, Brahim Díaz has scored 13 goals and provided 8 assists in all competitions.

With a sparkling Diaz, Morocco dreams of having a new African Ballon d’Or, after Mustapha Hadji in 1998. But the Atlas Lion could have a serious rival in the person of Nigerian striker Ademola Lookman of Atalanta Bergame, who scored 21 goals and provided 10 assists last season. The 2023 Ballon d’Or was won by another Nigerian, Victor Osimhen, from Galatasaray.