With Sunday’s trip to Vitoria, Brahim Díaz will play his final La Liga match of 2025. After facing Alavés, the Real Madrid attacker must report to the Moroccan national team on Monday, as FIFA regulations require all clubs to release their players no later than that day for the Africa Cup of Nations, which kicks off on December 21.

For Brahim, the match at Mendizorroza is his last chance to improve his league numbers before leaving. So far in the 2025-26 La Liga campaign, he has made 11 appearances and provided two assists, while in the Champions League he has featured in all six group-stage games and scored once.

Now he turns his focus to a major responsibility. Wearing the number 10 and acting as the team’s marquee player — especially with captain Achraf Hakimi still sidelined — Brahim is expected to be one of Morocco’s leaders heading into the tournament. The Atlas Lions will make their debut on Sunday, December 21, at 8:00 PM, against Comoros at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. With Morocco, Brahim already boasts eight goals in 15 appearances, and expectations around him are high.

Real Madrid won’t find it easy to cope with his absence, but from Brahim’s perspective, this opportunity is priceless. Playing a major tournament on home soil under manager Walid Regragui is the biggest stage he’s had yet with the national team.

The Africa Cup of Nations will be fiercely competitive, featuring heavyweights such as Nigeria, Cameroon, Egypt and Ivory Coast. The tournament runs until January 18, the date of the final in Rabat, overlapping entirely with Spain’s Christmas schedule.

Morocco has been drawn into Group A, along with Comoros, Mali, and Zambia.

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