Brahim Díaz could now be in the running for the Ballon d’Or after helping Morocco win the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, according to Spanish outlet Defensa Central.
The win, confirmed by the Confederation of African Football, gives more weight to Morocco’s success on the international stage.
Díaz played a key role in the tournament. He scored five goals, including two against Zambia and an important goal against Cameroon in the quarter-finals. He scored in five matches in a row and finished as the top scorer across both the qualifiers and the tournament.
The report says doing well in big continental competitions like AFCON can help players in the Ballon d’Or race, especially with support from African football bodies. Díaz has also been in good form for Real Madrid this season, with more than ten goal contributions.
Winning AFCON could also boost his chances of being named African Player of the Year, which often helps players get into the Ballon d’Or top 10.
He is still up against strong competition from players like Lamine Yamal and Harry Kane, but his success with Morocco could give him an edge.
So far this season, Díaz has four goals and four assists in La Liga, plus a goal and an assist in the Champions League. His performances in the coming months, including in Europe and at the 2026 World Cup, will likely decide how far he can go in the race for football’s top individual award.
