By Alex RobertsHosting this year’s AFCON is just the beginning. Morocco have been given the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, and the 2030 FIFA World Cup, alongside their Mediterranean neighbours Spain and Portugal.What’s happening off the pitch mirrors what it is happening on it. Morocco became the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final back in 2022 and are now on course to win AFCON as many expected.If they do, they’ll have Díaz to thank. A bit part player in a Real Madrid side filled with attacking superstars, the versatile winger has had to bide his time to earn a leading role, and he’s found it with Morocco.It’s hard to get ahead of Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, or even Jude Bellingham in the Spanish capital, but Díaz has been severely underutilised at Real Madrid. Under Carlo Ancelotti, he had 18 goals and 14 assists in his 96 games, most of which were off the bench.That’s a return that most forwards in world football would be happy with, but under the now sacked Xabi Alonso, chances were even harder to come by. Díaz has started just three of his 12 LaLiga games, providing two assists.Díaz, as his surname may suggest, represented Spain at youth level while coming up through the ranks at Malaga and then Man City. He even made an appearance for the first team back in 2021, scoring in a friendly against Lithuania.After that though, his phone failed to ring and with the likelihood of a recall minimal, Díaz decided to switch allegiances in 2024. Since, then, he has been an absolute revelation for Morocco, with 13 goals in his 20 appearances.Díaz’s tournament shot map, AFCON 2025AFCON 2025 is Díaz’s first major international tournament, and it’s fair to say he’s relishing the pressure that comes with being the main attacking force for arguably the continent’s best side right now.Since the start of the tournament, Díaz has become the first Moroccan to score in four consecutive AFCON game, and even managed to go one better, scoring the opener in their 2-0 quarter final win over Cameroon.Díaz has been far and away the player of the tournament so far. His five goals make him the current top goal scorer, although Victor Osimhen and Mohamed Salah aren’t too far behind with four a piece.He’s been remarkably clinical, with his five goals coming from just 15 shots, eight of which have been on target, and a non-penalty xG of 1.98. Everything Díaz touches at the moment is turning to gold, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t putting in the hard work.Díaz has been a consistent presser for Walid Regragui, winning 27 duels, making 14 recoveries, winning possession in the final third four times, and being dribbled past just once. He’s also let a nasty side out here and there, committing eight fouls. What we all really want to talk about though are his goals, so let’s start at the beginning. Under the rain in Rabbat, the hosts got the tournament underway against little Comoros. Díaz was involved right away, winning a penalty after just ten minutes, only for Soufiane Rahimi to shoot right at ‘keeper Yannick Pandor.The two sides went into the break with the score at 0-0. Morocco were desperate for someone to take the game by the scruff of the neck and avoid a potentially devastating defeat, or even a draw, in front of their own expectant fans.Díaz did just that, scoring the opener in the 55th minute following some fantastic work from Man United’s Noussair Mazraoui out on the right wing. Of course, Ayoub El Kaabi’s absurd bicycle kick rightfully got all of the headlines. Next up were Mali, and this one didn’t quite go as planned for Morocco. Díaz did what he does best to win his side their penalty, beating three defenders, with Nathan Gassama seemingly trying to swat the ball away with his hand, Díaz stepped up, sending the ‘keeper the wrong way to open the scoring.The game against Mali ended in a 1-1 draw. Frustrated, Morocco went on to absolutely batter Zambia, with Díaz scoring yet again. He was a little fortunate with this one, Abde Ezzalzouli’s cutback was clearly intended for El Kaabi, but he completely missed it. The striker made up for it with ANOTHER bicycle kick in the 50th minute, though.Morocco faced Tanzania in their first game of 2026, and it was New year, same Díaz. Regragui’s side dominated, but really struggled to break down the opposition defence, until, you guessed, Díaz was the man of the moment.Received the ball from Achraf Hakimi, he showed that star quality and close control that have been trademarks of his campaign so far, Díaz struck from a tight angle, catching Hussein Masalanga completely off guard, leaving him with nothing to do other than deflect the ball into the goal.ya Touré. That feels good.”Díaz was subbed off in that game with a slight knock, but he wasn’t about to miss the quarters against one of Africa’s bonafide big boys, Cameroon. As Morocco’s corner was swung in, Cameroon captain Nouhou Tolo let Díaz get ahead of him, allowing the tiny winger to nudge the ball into the net with his thigh.Next up are the other favourites, Nigeria. Unlike all of their other games so far, Morocco won’t be able to play on the front foot quite as much and may have to take their chances on the counter. Don’t be surprised if Díaz makes it six from six.(Cover image from IMAGO)You can follow every game from the Africa Cup of Nations on FotMob – with in-depth stat coverage, xG, and player ratings, where available. Download the free app here.