AFCON 2025: PSG coach defends Brahim Diaz after panenka miss

Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique has come to the defence of Brahim Diaz after his ignominious Panenka attempt dashed his team's AFCON hopes.

Enrique, who was Diaz’s national team coach for a brief period when he called him up for Spain in November 2021, before he switched allegiances to Morocco, defended the midfielder, stating that his choice for a panenka at such a high-pressure moment was not uncommon.

Diaz’s shocking moment is the trending topic in all of football, and the PSG manager was drawn into it. Speaking ahead of their Champions League clash with Sporting Lisbon, he was quizzed about the incident, and he had the following to say:

“Brahim’s panenka… We talked about it on the bus today,” he said. “I remember Zidane, a football god, who did that during a World Cup. When it works, everyone applauds; when you miss, there’s a lot of criticism. 

“Brahim, I know him: he's a magnificent, exceptional player. What's happening right now is very unfair. It's just sports; he's not a murderer or a bad person.”

As Pulse Sports reported, a poor penalty from Brahim Diaz and an incredible goal from Pape Gueye decided the eventful AFCON 2025 final between Senegal and Morocco, with the Teranga Lions claiming glory in extra time.

The match was an incredible contest between two equally matched sides before it was thrown into controversy. Pape Thiaw's side scored late in the game, but it was ruled out due to a foul in the buildup. Moments later, Morocco were handed a penalty, a chance to end their AFCON drought with potentially the last kick of the game.

Aggrieved, Senegal players staged a walkout, but Sadio Mané showed exemplary leadership, urging his players back on the pitch. The decision proved the right one, as Eduard Mendy saved Brahim Diaz's ill-advised panenka attempt before Gueye's thunderous winner in extra time.