"I can understand it's hard to accept and it was a bizarre thing to do. Everyone can see that. But this is a sport, nothing else. Nothing happens, whether you win or lose. The important thing is the value that you can give to young people, without exaggerating on that. He is neither an assassin nor a bad person. You have to respect how difficult it is to be a young player. It's a difficult time. There's a lot of pressure."
"He is an exceptional player and a very good person. It's very unfair to see that. I remember [Zinedine] Zidane, who is a football God, did a Panenka during a World Cup final [in 2006 against Italy]. I also remember Sergio Ramos, who took a Panenka during a very important game [Spain's Euro 2012 semi-final against Portugal]. Lots of players have done it."
After a stoppage-time penalty against Senegal in the Africa Cup of Nations final, Brahim Diaz's Panenka attempt was saved by Edouard Mendy following a 17-minute delay caused by Senegal's protests and a temporary walk-off. Morocco lost 1-0 in extra time. The Real Madrid forward received the Golden Boot in tears. Luis Enrique, who gave Diaz a Spain debut in 2021 before he switched allegiance to Morocco, defended Diaz's choice, called him an exceptional player and a good person, urged respect for young players under pressure, and cited examples of Zinedine Zidane and Sergio Ramos executing Panenkas in major matches.
Read at Soccer News
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