The aftershocks of the Africa Cup of Nations continue to take their toll on the ‘Atlas Lions.’ Just fifteen days after falling in the final to Senegal, Brahim Díaz and Ilias Akhomach went from camaraderie to direct confrontation during the recent clash between Real Madrid and Rayo Vallecano.

Chronicle of a breakup foretold

Tensions boiled over in the second half of Real Madrid vs. Rayo Vallecano. Away from the ball and outside the television cameras, both players confronted each other in a verbal and physical showdown that required intervention from others. The Moroccan press was quick to interpret this incident as definitive proof that the ‘Atlas Lions’ dressing room is fractured.

The aftermath of the ‘cursed Panenka’

This clash doesn’t seem like a random in-game incident, but rather a reflection of a fractured locker room. The Moroccan press points to Brahim Díaz as the epicenter of the crisis following the continental final. The Real Madrid player became the target of widespread criticism after missing a decisive ‘Panenka’ penalty in the dying moments of regulation time against Senegal.

Curiosities of the conflict:

• The fateful substitution: In that final, a mentally crushed Brahim was replaced in extra time by Ilias Akhomach.
• Rumors of a rift: Local media claim that the relationship between the national team’s key players is ‘dead,’ and this clash in Spain seems to confirm that the wounds are still open.

What was meant to be a showcase of Moroccan talent in LaLiga ended up as a visual testament to a national team that, after lost glory, is searching for someone to blame within its own ranks.

A powder keg that crosses borders. What began as a sporting disappointment at the Africa Cup of Nations has evolved into a personal crisis that now spills over into the Spanish league.

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