Leading the race for the 2024 African Player of the Year award is Brahim Diaz, the forward from Real Madrid.
Having switched allegiance from Spain to Morocco this year, the international player will be up against competitors such as Ademola Lookman for the coveted prize.
Diaz, who previously showcased his talents on loan at AC Milan, returned to Real Madrid in the 2023-24 season after previously playing for Premier League champions, Manchester City.
Born to a Moroccan father and a Spanish mother in Spain, Diaz represented the European country up until the U-21 level.
Currently, reports from Diario AS suggest that the ex-Spain U21 star is a strong contender to follow in the footsteps of Victor Osimhen from Nigeria and Napoli as the 2024 African Player of the Year.
Since changing his allegiance, Diaz has participated in two friendly matches and two qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Last season, Diaz showcased his skills by scoring 12 goals and providing nine assists in 44 appearances for Los Blancos across various competitions.
He played a pivotal role in Carlo Ancelotti’s squad claiming victory in the UEFA Champions League, La Liga, and Supercopa de Espana by the end of the campaign.
Set to compete against Lookman from Nigeria, who notably became the first African player to achieve a hat-trick in a major European final, Diaz remains a strong candidate for the award.
Lookman, after aiding Nigeria to the finals of the Africa Cup of Nations, continued to shine by scoring three goals for Atalanta in the UEFA Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen.