Real Madrid News
Senegal forward addresses Real Madrid star’s decisive AFCON penalty miss: ‘If I have a penalty in the final’
Brahim Díaz’s missed penalty in the Africa Cup of Nations final refuses to fade from the football conversation.
Even days after the decisive moment, the incident continues to be analysed, debated, and reinterpreted from every possible angle.
What was meant to be a moment of glory for Morocco instead became one of the defining images of the tournament, especially after Senegal went on to lift the trophy.
The discussion resurfaced strongly over the weekend when Real Madrid returned to league action against Villarreal.
During Madrid’s 0–2 victory, Kylian Mbappe stepped up to take a penalty and calmly executed a Panenka-style finish. Ultimately, the French star then dedicated the goal to Brahim.
Words of wisdom from a Senegalese
The connection between the two moments was obvious. Brahim had attempted the same type of penalty in the AFCON final against Senegal, but with a very different outcome.
That miss proved costly, as Morocco lost the match against Senegal.
Days after that final, Senegal forward Keita Balde has added his voice to the debate.
Speaking on DAZN, the current Monza forward made it clear that his views came with respect rather than criticism.
“Brahim is a great player. I respect and appreciate him a lot. He’s a player I really like, and I’ve had the chance to talk to him,” he began.
Only after setting this did Balde address the penalty itself. With honesty and humour, he explained how he would have approached the situation if the responsibility had fallen to him.
“If I have a penalty in my country in the final, I’ll smash it in. You have to beat even the goalkeeper. The goalkeeper and the ball inside, both of them,” he said with a laugh.
Balde then offered his reflection on why Panenka penalties are so divisive, especially on the biggest stage. He summed it up by saying,
“I’ll tell you what, if he scores it: ‘Oh, great goal, ‘Panenka’, phenomenal, artist’.
“That’s the problem with the ‘Panenka’, but his guts, his personality, I respect that. If you score it, you’re a star, but if you don’t, you look bad,” concluded the former Espanyol player.
Real Madrid youngster Endrick continues to attract interest from several clubs ahead of another potential loan move in the upcoming January transfer window.
The latest side considering a move for the Brazilian forward is Aston Villa.
Indeed, according to reports relayed by Bernabeu Digital, the Premier League club are interested in signing the Real Madrid striker on loan in January.
No minutes for Endrick
Endrick has had very limited opportunities under Jose Mourinho this season. Across Real Madrid’s nine matches in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League, the Brazilian has played just four minutes, coming on in the 86th minute against Elche.
Such limited playing time has left the young forward struggling to gain the minutes and experience needed to develop his talent at Real Madrid.
As such, another loan move, like last January when he left for Olympique Lyon, could offer him a chance to play more regularly and continue his progression.
Aston Villa, managed by Unai Emery, have now emerged as an interested party to acquire the Brazilian international’s services on loan for the second half of the season.
AC Milan also interested in Endrick
Howver, Aston Villa are not the only club monitoring Endrick’s situation. AC Milan have also renewed their interest in the Brazilian forward.
The Rossoneri already held an interest in the 20-year-old forward during the summer transfer window and are knocking on the doors once again now.
In fact, some reports in Italy even go on to suggest that the youngster is ready to pounce on the opportunity to sign for the Serie A giants.
For now, however, there have been no concrete developments or formal approaches from any interested club.
Real Madrid are understood to be open to allowing Endrick to leave on loan, but they are not considering a permanent sale as they still have a lot of faith in the promising attacker whom they signed from Palmeiras.
With Aston Villa and AC Milan both interested, the coming months could prove important in determining where the young Brazilian will continue his development.
