Bolhroz Shocks Diaz: I’m Not Zidane or Ronaldo

Panenka Moment Sparks Critique

Former Netherlands star Khalid Bolhroz, who has Moroccan roots, criticized Ibrahim Diaz's Panenka-style penalty against Senegal in the Africa Cup of Nations final.

What happened in the final

Morocco earned a stoppage-time penalty in the second half, a dramatic moment that could decide the title.

Senegal protested the decision and briefly walked off the pitch before Diaz stepped up; the Panenka attempt was saved by Senegal's goalkeeper Edward Mendy.

Bolhroz's perspective

"You run through many scenarios in your head during the tournament; perhaps this is one: what would I do if I had a decisive penalty and became the match winner? Would I Panenka? Would I shoot to the top corner? So many things go through your mind."

He added, in comments carried by Voetbal International, that "it's more than a missed penalty. No one would fault a player for choosing a corner if the goalkeeper saves or it goes wide. But opting for a Panenka..."

"This is about me. It isn't about Morocco, or forty million people, or generations who have suffered finals losses. It was the decisive moment; Morocco had momentum for the spot. And he chose to make it about himself. That's painful, and you can see the players' faces. This shouldn't be played with."

"Diaz did not have a great tournament overall … five goals, but that does not reveal the full picture."

Diaz's overall performance has drawn mixed reviews; five goals, but critics argue there was more to his game than those tallies.

"But at that moment none of that matters. The aim is to put the ball in the net. That is professionalism. You’re not Zidane, Ronaldo, or Hakimi. You don’t have that status. This is painful indeed," Bolhroz adds.

Finally, Bolhroz notes the emotional toll on Morocco’s team, reminding readers that a single moment can define a career in football’s high-stakes arena.

Punchline 1: If you're not Zidane, maybe Panenka is best left to the maestros—keep it classy, not risky in the final whistle.

Punchline 2: Diaz learned that in football, confidence is good, but Panenka in a final is a bold mood—sometimes the keeper is the one who steals the show.