After missing his penalty in the AFCON final, Brahim Diaz has now shared an emotional statement. The Morocco star had the chance to win the game with essentially the last kick of the game, but sent his chipped effort right into the hands of Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.
The game went into extra time, and with 94 minutes played, Pape Gueye would blast in the opening goal of the game. This was enough to see Senegal come away with a 1-0 victory.
Understandably, Diaz has faced a great deal of criticism for his failed Panenka, which cost his team their first AFCON in 50 years, and looked distraught after the game as he collected the Golden Boot prize for the tournament's top scorer. He has now spoken out publicly for the first time since the final.
Diaz Takes 'Full Responsibility' For AFCON Penalty Miss
Morocco's Brahim Diaz kisses the ball as he prepares to take a penalty vs Senegal
Taking to his official Instagram account, the Real Madrid star made clear just how upset he is, noting that he takes 'full responsibility' for the miss. In full, the statement read:
"My soul hurts. I dreamed of this title thanks to all the love you all gave me, every message, every show of support that made me feel I wasn’t alone. I fought with everything I had, with my heart above all else.
"Yesterday I failed and I take full responsibility. I apologise from the bottom of my heart. It will be hard for me to recover, because this wound doesn’t heal easily… but I will try. Not for myself, but for everyone who believed in me and for everyone who suffered with me.
"I will keep going forward until one day I can give you all this love back and become a source of pride for my Moroccan people."
Morocco's Brahim Diaz kisses the ball as he prepares to take a penalty vs Senegal Related
Brahim Diaz's Woeful AFCON Penalty vs Senegal Costs Fan Thousands After £5 Bet
The Moroccan's miss was one of the most dramatic moments in football history.
Gianni Infantino Among Those Unhappy With Senegal Walking Off the Pitch
Morocco vs Senegal AFCON final
While Diaz has faced an awful lot of scrutiny for his miss, which was so bad some have even suggested it was deliberate, Senegal have also been crtised for their hevaior in the build-up to the spot-kick. Manager Pape Thiaw ordered his team leave the pitch, causing a lengthy delay before the penalty could be taken.
Morocco head coach Walid Regragui claimed that this 'must have disturbed' Diaz, and slammed the oppoisiotn for their 'rather shameful' actions. There have also been suggestions that Senegal could now be stipped of their trophy.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has been among those to call out the behavour of the team, as well as fans in the stadium, saying:
"We also witnessed unacceptable scenes on the field and in the stands - we strongly condemn the behaviour of some ‘supporters’ as well as some Senegalese players and technical staff members.
“It is unacceptable to leave the field of play in this manner, and equally, violence cannot be tolerated in our sport, it is simply not right. We must always respect the decisions taken by the match officials on and off the field of play. Teams must compete on the pitch and within the Laws of the Game, because anything less puts the very essence of football at risk.”
It remains to be seen what the final and full punishment will be for Senegal and their fans, with Confederation of African Football (CAF) revealing that it was 'reviewing all footage and will refer the matter to competent bodies'.