- Brahim Diaz won the Golden Boot at the AFCON 2025 awards, fighting back tears after missing a crucial penalty that could have delivered the title for his side on Sunday.
- Sadio Mane was crowned the tournament’s MVP after winning his second AFCON title with Senegal and providing the assist for Pape Gueye’s decisive goal.
- Meanwhile, reigning CAF Goalkeeper of the Year Yassine Bounou was awarded the Golden Glove as the tournament’s best goalkeeper.
Brahim Diaz received the Golden Boot for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2025) as the tournament’s top scorer, concluding his campaign with heartfelt sorrow after an unforgettable final on Sunday.
The Real Madrid forward had found the net in all five of Morocco’s previous matches, inspiring the host nation’s run to the grand finale at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
There, his side fell 1–0 to Senegal in a dramatic and controversial showdown.
Diaz will forever remember a final in which he had only one task: to seal victory before extra time.
Hope flickered when a VAR review awarded the Atlas Lions a penalty, but the match was halted as Senegal’s players stormed off the pitch protesting the decision.
After they were persuaded to return, Diaz stepped up only to see his Panenka attempt comfortably saved by Edouard Mendy.
Later, Pape Gueye struck a thunderous effort to seal victory for Senegal, crowning them champions for the second time in AFCON history.
Diaz win the Golden Boot at the AFCON 2025 awards
The 26-year-old collected his Golden Boot with tears in his eyes. Even the encouragement of FIFA president Gianni Infantino and FRMF head Fouzi Lekjaa could not console him.
Diaz’s AFCON 2025 journey was marked by remarkable consistency, as he delivered goals at every crucial stage of Morocco’s campaign.
He opened the scoring in a 2–0 win against Comoros, netted again in a 1–1 draw with Mali, and scored a brace against Zambia to secure a commanding group-stage victory.
He continued his form in the knockout rounds with goals against Tanzania in the round of 16 and Cameroon in the quarterfinals.
By scoring in five consecutive matches, Diaz entered an elite group of players in AFCON history who have achieved such a streak in a single tournament.
His Golden Boot triumph cements his place in Moroccan football lore, setting a new benchmark for sustained excellence in the competition.
Sadio Mane is crowned AFCON 2025 MVP
Had Diaz converted his late penalty for a sixth tournament goal, he might also have claimed the Most Valuable Player award.
Instead, that honor went to Sadio Mane, whose influence was undeniable- especially on Sunday, when he led his teammates back onto the field after their protest and helped guide Senegal to victory.
The former Liverpool star recorded two goals and four assists in six appearances, highlighting his all-around influence.
The 33-year-old was decisive in the final, providing the assist for Pape Gueye’s extra-time winner to clinch Senegal’s second AFCON title in five years.
Meanwhile, reigning CAF Goalkeeper of the Year Yassine Bounou was awarded the Golden Glove as the tournament’s best keeper.
Bounou was a rock throughout, keeping five clean sheets in seven matches -a joint tournament high alongside Senegal’s Mendy.
His resilient displays limited Morocco to just two goals conceded on their path to the final, underscoring his consistency, composure, and crucial role for the hosts.
AFCON 2025 Awards
- Champions: Senegal
- Runners-up: Morocco
- Fair Play Award: Morocco
- Third Place: Nigeria
- Best Player: Sadio Mane (Senegal)
- Best Goalkeeper: Yassine Bounou (Morocco)
- Top Scorer: Brahim Díaz (Morocco)
