The day after the 4-1 win over RB Leipzig in the Champions League, José Mourinho, Real Madrid’s head coach, paid tribute to Brahim Díaz, the Morocco international attacking midfielder. He praised a player who does not often start, while raising the question of meritocracy.
Brahim Díaz did not start against RB Leipzig, but his coach praised him in front of the press the day after Real Madrid’s Champions League success (4-1), according to Mountakhab.net. The 27-year-old Morocco international is going through a tricky start to the season in terms of playing time, with few starts and a limited role as an impact substitute. Recent muscle problems have slowed his physical rise.
The Portuguese coach chose to set out the dilemma of squad management in a highly competitive group, raising the concept of meritocracy within the team.
“Players who I really like”
Mourinho offered his compliment, quoted by Mountakhab.net: “Brahim is also one of those players who do not start matches, but who I really like every time they come onto the pitch. That brings us back to the question of meritocracy.”
The Morocco attacking midfielder, a regular fixture in Walid Regragui’s national team, has to deal with that logic at the Merengues. His cameo against RB Leipzig, on matchday 3 of the Champions League league phase, allowed him to shine and catch his coach’s eye.
A physical and calendar context
The Madrid coach did not only talk about individuals. He also lamented the calendar ahead of the upcoming clash, recalling that his team had 24 hours less recovery time than their opponent, according to Le Journal du Real. A factor that matters when managing bodies and choices.
Real Madrid are on a positive run: three wins from three matches in this 2026-2027 European league phase, according to SuperSport. In this context, internal competition remains fierce for every place on the pitch.
The Clásico in sight
The next fixture is the Clásico against FC Barcelona in La Liga, over the weekend of 24-25 October 2026. Mourinho’s comments, reported by Mountakhab.net, reinforce Brahim Díaz’s standing in the Merengues’ attacking hierarchy, as noted by LiveFoot.
These statements say nothing, however, about a possible start or a specific role against the Catalan rivals. For now, the Morocco midfielder remains a player whose coach appreciates his cameos.