As the Africa Cup of Nations approaches, Brahim Díaz is on a mission to secure his place in the starting lineup for Real Madrid. The Moroccan international is eager to impress coach Xabi Alonso, especially as the right-wing position remains unsettled. With only four starts to his name this season, Díaz faces stiff competition from fellow teammates. The promising Argentine talent, Mastantuono, has been favored by Alonso, having started nine matches. However, his lack of experience could leave room for Díaz to shine.
Eduardo Camavinga has also been a preferred choice for key matches, displaying flashes of brilliance against FC Barcelona but failing to meet expectations during a recent clash with Liverpool. This inconsistency keeps the race for the right-wing position wide open, as highlighted by AS. Meanwhile, on the international stage, Díaz has transformed into a pivotal leader for the Moroccan national team. His playmaking ability was evident in their recent match against Mozambique, where his clever backheel assisted the only goal scored by Ounahi in a narrow 1-0 victory. Although he didn’t score during Morocco’s emphatic 4-0 win over Uganda, his contributions were significant during this international break.
Striving for More Playing Time
Díaz aims to increase his playing time as the 2023-2024 season progresses. Despite being primarily used as a substitute thus far, he is determined to carry forward the momentum he built during this international period under Xabi Alonso’s management. The Madrid winger possesses all the qualities that could appeal to Alonso—his stamina for pressing and unpredictability make him a valuable asset on the pitch. Yet, he has logged only 423 minutes this season, ranking him fifteenth in terms of playing time within the squad.
Impressive Statistics Amid Limited Minutes
Despite limited appearances, Díaz’s performance statistics are noteworthy. He scored against Kairat Almaty in the Champions League and provided two assists in La Liga matches against Oviedo and Villarreal. His involvement in goals comes every 144 minutes—a marked improvement from last season when he contributed every 163 minutes. However, he still trails behind his peak performance in the previous season when he managed to be involved in a goal every 98 minutes.
The Real Madrid hierarchy is counting on Brahim Díaz’s potential as he recently extended his contract until 2027, although an official announcement is still pending. With Mastantuono currently sidelined due to pubalgia, Díaz is poised to start against Elche—a golden opportunity for him to demonstrate that his contributions can be instrumental for Xabi Alonso’s squad moving forward.
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