Luis Enrique Defends Brahim Díaz After Penalty Miss, Citing Zidane and Sergio Ramos

Luis Enrique, current head coach of Paris Saint-Germain, publicly came to the defense of Brahim Díaz following the criticism the forward received for missing a decisive penalty in the Africa Cup of Nations final. The Real Madrid attacker, who chose to represent Morocco national football team, attempted a Panenka in the closing minutes against Senegal national football team. The miss pushed the match into extra time and ultimately ended in defeat for Morocco.

Brahim became the target of harsh reactions after the final whistle, including criticism from sections of the fanbase. In response, the player shared an emotional message on social media, taking responsibility for the miss and apologizing to supporters.

Luis Enrique addressed the situation during a pre–Champions League press conference, stressing that a single mistake does not define a player or their career. The Spanish coach reminded the media that even legendary figures such as Zinedine Zidane and Sergio Ramos have attempted—and missed—high-risk penalties in decisive moments, and that the reaction to such failures should not be excessive.

The PSG manager described Brahim Díaz as “a magnificent and exceptional player,” emphasizing that extreme criticism is unfair and misplaced. He also highlighted that football is a sport of wins and losses, and that the most important takeaway lies in the values players pass on to younger generations.

For his part, Brahim Díaz issued a heartfelt apology through his social channels, admitting how deeply the miss affected him emotionally. He pledged to work through the disappointment, continue growing as a professional, and repay the trust and affection of Moroccan supporters. The forward also expressed gratitude for the messages of support he received during a difficult moment.

While the loss was a painful blow for Morocco in the AFCON final, Luis Enrique’s intervention shifted the focus toward a broader message: the importance of solidarity, perspective, and respect in football—beyond a single decisive error.