Morocco midfielder Brahim Díaz has issued a deeply personal apology to fans after his last-minute penalty miss saw the Atlas Lions fall short of Africa Cup of Nations glory.

The Real Madrid star took full responsibility for the failure following Morocco’s 1-0 defeat to Senegal in Sunday’s final, describing the moment as a wound that "does not heal easily."

The Atlas Lions were on the verge of ending a 50-year wait for the continental crown when they were awarded a penalty in the ninth minute of stoppage time. 

However, Díaz’s attempt, a "Panenka" chip, was comfortably gathered by Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy, sending the match into extra time, where the Teranga Lions eventually secured the win.

In an emotional statement shared with his millions of followers on Instagram, the 26-year-old did not shy away from the weight of the moment. 

"My heart hurts," Díaz wrote. "I dreamed of this title thanks to all the love you gave me... Yesterday I failed and I take full responsibility. I offer you my sincere apologies."

The playmaker, who has become a focal point for Moroccan football since switching his international allegiance from Spain, admitted that the loss would haunt him for some time. 

"It will be hard for me to get over this, these wounds do not heal easily, but I will try," he added. "I will keep moving forward so that one day I can give back this love and make my Moroccan people proud of me."

The final minutes of normal time were marred by tension and confusion. Before Díaz could take the spot-kick, a lengthy VAR review and a brief walk-off protest by the Senegalese players delayed play for several minutes. 

Morocco manager Walid Regragui leapt to the defence of his star player, pointing to the immense pressure created by the delay. Regragui suggested that the psychological toll of the wait played a significant role in the missed opportunity.

The miss was a cruel conclusion to what had otherwise been a stellar individual tournament for Díaz. He ends the competition as the Golden Boot winner with five goals, having been the driving force behind Morocco’s journey to the final.

Despite his individual accolades, the national mood remains one of mourning. Morocco last won the AFCON in 1976, and the 2025 tournament on home soil was seen as the definitive moment for this "Golden Generation" to cement their legacy.

For Senegal, the victory marks a successful defence of their status as a powerhouse of African football, while Morocco is left to reflect on a night of "what ifs" in Casablanca.