Real Madrid: Mbappé and Tchouaméni's African Adventure

This Sunday evening, the presence of two Real Madrid stars at the Marrakech stadium drew considerable attention. Kylian Mbappé and Aurélien Tchouaméni were spotted in the stands during the Côte d’Ivoire vs. Cameroon match, a gathering that resonated with their Cameroonian heritage. Invited by his close friend Achraf Hakimi to watch Morocco’s second group stage match against Mali, which ended in a 1-1 draw, Mbappé extended his Moroccan holiday for a few more days. Meanwhile, his native Cameroon also faced disappointment, drawing 1-1 against the Ivorian Elephants on the same day.

Both players’ appearances were unexpected highlights of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Tchouaméni was seen in another VIP box alongside his long-time friend and Barcelona rival, Jules Koundé. Their bond dates back to their early days at the Bordeaux academy, illustrating the deep connections formed in football. This return to their roots during the winter break echoes Eduardo Camavinga‘s recent visit to Angola, where he has familial ties and which is also competing in this AFCON.

Brahim Díaz Shines for Morocco

While Mbappé and Tchouaméni represent France at the international level, another Real Madrid player is making waves with Morocco: Brahim Díaz. The Málaga native has previously donned Spain’s colors in youth categories (U17, U19, U21) but switched allegiance to represent Morocco, reflecting his father’s heritage. Díaz made his debut for the Lions of the Atlas in March 2024 during a friendly against Angola. His contributions have been vital for Morocco in this AFCON, scoring decisively against Comoros in their opening match and once again proving instrumental against Mali by converting a penalty under the watchful eyes of Mbappé.

Upcoming Challenges

Despite Díaz’s efforts, Morocco could only manage a draw against Mali, leaving them needing a win against Zambia on Monday night to secure their place in the knockout stages of the tournament. As for Mbappé and Tchouaméni, their brief holiday is coming to an end. The duo will return to training on Monday as they prepare for Real Madrid’s upcoming fixtures, including a crucial La Liga clash against Real Betis on January 4 and an intense Supercopa de España derby against Atlético Madrid shortly thereafter.

The new year promises excitement for both players and fans alike. Will they hit the ground running upon their return? Only time will tell as they gear up for what lies ahead.