Brahim Diaz

Brahim Abdelkader Diaz was Born on 3 August 1999 in Malaga, Spain, to a Spanish mother and a Moroccan-Riffian father. He progressed through Malaga's academy before joining Manchester City in 2015. Real Madrid signed him in January 2019, and two loan spells at AC Milan between 2020 and 2023 (during which he won the Serie A title in 2021-22) established him as one of European football's most exciting attacking midfielders and wingers. He returned to Real Madrid in 2023 on a contract running to 2027.

Despite representing Spain at youth level and making one senior appearance for the Spanish national team in 2021, Diaz switched his international allegiance to Morocco in 2024, citing frustration at being overlooked by Spain. The move proved immediately productive: he was named 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Golden Boot winner with five goals and brought 25 caps and 14 goals to the 2026 World Cup squad. His decision sparked debate in Spain, where many felt they had lost one of the country's most gifted forwards.

At the 2026 World Cup, Diaz provided the assist for Morocco's opener against Brazil on 13 June at MetLife Stadium, threading a perfectly weighted through ball for Ismael Saibari, who chipped Alisson in the 21st minute. Brazil equalised through Vinicius Jr but Morocco held for a 1-1 draw in one of the tournament's most-watched Group C fixtures.