From Golden Boot to a Bleak Night: Ibrahim Diaz's AFCON 2025 Heartache
18 January 2026
A night of mixed fortunes
Ibrahim Diaz, Morocco's breakout star, broke into tears after it was announced he had won the Africa Cup of Nations Golden Boot at CAN 2025.
The final twist
Senegal emerged as champions with a 1-0 victory over Morocco in extra time, sealing the title in dramatic fashion.
Diaz finished the tournament with five goals, a remarkable personal tally, yet the finale proved cruel for the Real Madrid forward.
He also missed a decisive penalty in stoppage time, a miss that could have handed Morocco their second title and their first in half a century.
Senegal struck in the first half of extra time, and the crowd's cheers swallowed Morocco's hopes, leaving Diaz to reflect on what might have been.
Humor note: and yes, the ball apparently distributed a plot twist, because even the net looked surprised.
Punchline 1: Diaz scored five goals this tournament—five more reasons to hate Mondays, apparently.
Punchline 2: When life gives you a Golden Boot, sometimes you still miss the last kick—plot twist, courtesy of destiny and the referee’s whistle.
