Brahim Díaz: Real's Madrid's forgotten man
After arriving at Real Madrid to considerable fanfare, the 19-year-old has managed just 24 minutes of action but a loan deal is still not being considered.
When Brahim Díaz arrived at Real Madrid, for an initial fee of 15 million euros and to a lavish presentation, hopes were high that the 19-year-old would slip seamlessly into Real’s first team squad and provide a spark that had been missing from Santiago Solari’s side since the Argentinean took over from Julen Lopetegui in November.
Real had recorded two 1-0 victories over Huesca and Rayo, drawn with Villarreal and lost to Real Sociedad before Brahim arrived on 7 January and the youngster was rushed into the squad for the league match against Betis and the Copa del Rey double header against Leganés.
In those fixtures, Brahim came off the bench three times for a total of 24 minutes, and he hasn’t been since. Santiago Solari’s decision to call on the 19-year-old ahead of Isco against Betis suggested the recent arrival was destined for a greater role, but it has now become apparent that the Spain midfielder has fallen so far out favour with the Argentinean that it was probably more a political than a sporting decision.
Brahim not considering loan despite competition
Over the course of Real Madrid’s last seven fixtures, Brahim has failed to even make the bench. With the return of Marco Asensio, Gareth Bale and Mariano, Solari’s options in the attacking third have been boosted and Brahim has been forgotten. The last time the former Manchester City player even made a matchday squad was 24 January, for the Copa match against Girona, and he didn’t get off the bench.
Brahim pushed for his move to Madrid because he was discontent with a lack of first team opportunities under Pep Guardiola at the Etihad and City were happy to let him go as it was apparent that he would not be remaining beyond the end of his contract, which expired in the summer.
He also was not keen on a loan move away from City and retains that outlook in Madrid, despite his lack of playing time. The club also agree that he is better off training with the first team squad at Valdebebas than playing for another Liga side. Having signed a contract until 2025 at the Bernabéu, time is on Brahim’s and Real are in no rush to press the issue. Whether the player feels the same way in the summer if he doesn’t add to those 24 minutes remains to be seen.