Brahim Diaz has expressed his gratitude towards AC Milan for the time that he spent there as he continues to carve out a leading role back at Real Madrid.
The playmaker spent three years on loan at Milan from 2020 to 2023, with an initial one-year loan then followed by a two-year spell, but he returned to the Spanish capital last summer.
Since then he has found playing time a bit easier to come by having made 33 appearances across all competitions this season, scoring nine goals and adding four assists, earning the trust of Carlo Ancelotti and links with Premier League clubs.
Brahim Diaz spoke during an interview with Esquire in which he touched upon his decision to change national teams, how he has grown as a player and his time with Milan.
Why did you change from Spain to Morocco?
“I had to decide and for a long time they showed me love. I have roots in Morocco and now I have to reciprocate that confidence on the field.”
Do you have a message for Spain?
“I am very grateful, this choice changes nothing. I wore the national team shirt and I want the best for them. I noticed a lot of affection from the people, they respected the decision.”
Tell us about your return to Real Madrid…
“I had already said it in my presentation, there were several offers but I didn’t consider any of them because in my head I only had three options: Madrid, Madrid and Madrid. This has always been my goal.”
You seemed happy at Milan…
“I didn’t imagine anything, honestly. I felt very comfortable at Milan, we did great things and the truth is that I am very grateful to the club, I always say it.
“Regarding Real Madrid, I had no expectations because in the end it is the best club in the world and you have to give your best day after day.
“I don’t know if I’m outdoing myself or not, but the truth is that so far it’s been a very good season on my part of everyone and we must continue like this.
“We must score, make assists, win titles, which in the end is the most important thing in this great club.”
How have you grown compared to the past?
“They are two different moments. At the time I was young and, although obviously I came from a big club like Manchester City, but I had less experience, I was a kid who wanted to establish himself and at that moment things didn’t go as they should for various reasons.
“But in the end all the work pays off and that’s what happened to me I returned to Real Madrid more mature, with more experience, but with the same desire to win.”
There was some controversy surrounding Theo Hernandez when he celebrated the same way against Verona on Sunday, earning a yellow card and a subsequent one-game ban.
After the game, Theo posted a photo of his celebration on his Instagram page and his friend Brahim Diaz was among the first to comment, as well as being tagged in the photo. The reason? He celebrated in the same way against Osasuna the day prior.
Tell us about your celebration…
“I come from a humble family. I’m very proud of where I come from and where I am now, but I always put humility first, it’s something fundamental. The celebration has to do with all of this.
“It comes from when I played with my sisters, when everything seemed difficult, in the end I managed to win, and it’s like saying ‘did you see?’. Even if it seems like everything is going wrong, in the end everything is possible.”
