Renard criticizes Brahim Diaz: The penalty kick showed a lack of respect for Morocco
Hervé Renard, the Saudi national team coach and former coach of the Atlas Lions, harshly criticized star player Brahim Díaz for missing the decisive penalty kick in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final. This missed penalty kick caused the Moroccan national team's dreams of winning the continental title, which has been absent from their trophy cabinet for decades, to evaporate.
Fiery statements to Le Parisien newspaper
Speaking to the French newspaper Le Parisien, Renard made no secret of his deep displeasure with the way Diaz took the penalty at such a crucial moment. The veteran French coach emphasized that missing penalties is an inherent part of football and can happen to any player in the world, but it is the manner in which it is taken that is controversial. Renard considered resorting to showboating or recklessness in a decisive final to be irresponsible.
Historical context: 50 years of waiting
Renard's statements carry weight due to his deep knowledge of Moroccan football and the passion of its fans, having previously led the Moroccan national team to the 2018 World Cup after a long absence. In his remarks, Renard indicated that what happened represented a "lack of respect" for an entire nation that has been waiting for continental glory since 1976. Morocco, with its rich footballing history and world-class talent, has only won the African Cup of Nations once, making the psychological and public pressure immense for any generation that wears the national jersey in the finals.
Compared to the incident involving the Saudi national team
To bolster his argument, Renard recalled a similar incident from his time as coach of the Saudi national team during the Arab Cup, specifically in a match against Morocco. He recounted, "I experienced a similar situation when one of my players (Abdullah Al-Hamdan) decided to take a Panenka penalty kick and completely missed." Renard explained that his reaction was firm; he insisted the player accompany him to the press conference to offer a formal apology, emphasizing that he does not tolerate such situations that affect the fans' feelings.
Pressure on Walid Regragui
In closing, Renard expressed his sympathy for his colleague Walid Regragui, the Moroccan national team coach, noting that the final match took place in a tense atmosphere and a chaotic scenario marred by widespread refereeing controversy. He explained that these circumstances made the situation even more difficult for the coach and players, but they did not excuse erroneous individual decisions in crucial moments that determine the outcome of titles.
