The statement did not go unnoticed. Two months after Morocco lost the 2025 AFCON final to Senegal (0-1 after extra time), Romain Saïss reflected on the episode that marked an entire nation: the panenka attempted and missed by Brahim Díaz during the last chance penalty.
In an interview with Colinterview, the former captain of the Atlas Lions expressed his bewilderment at the moment of the act, explaining that he does not blame Brahim for missing… but for choosing that option at that precise moment. Saïss believes that Díaz “could have been the hero,” but he wanted to “be the superhero,” a phrase that encapsulates his thoughts: too much risk, too much at stake, poor timing.
Saïss also discusses the lasting emotional impact of this action, describing a memory that still haunts him, a testament to the fact that this final remains an open wound for the team. For his part, Brahim Díaz had already spoken after the match to take responsibility for his failure and to apologize.
