A day after Brahim Diaz’s penalty miss cost Morocco the Africa Cup of Nations final against Senegal, the Real Madrid player promised to repay his fans at home on Monday.
“My soul aches,” Diaz posted on Instagram. “I dreamed of receiving this title because of all the love, every message, every support you all gave me, making me feel like I was not alone. I fought with everything I had, and most importantly my heart.”
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Diaz went down while fighting for a corner kick, winning an overtime penalty. After a lengthy video review and some Senegalese players walking away in protest, Diaz tried to scare Edouard Mendy with a shattering penalty. The goalkeeper was not fooled and caught the ball. Senegal then won in overtime.
“I failed, I take full responsibility and sincerely apologize,” Diaz wrote.
“It will be difficult for me to stand up because this wound does not heal easily, but I will try. Not for me, but for everyone who believes in me and everyone who suffers with me.”
“I will keep going until one day I can give all my love back to you and be the pride of the Moroccan people.”
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