Brahim Díaz impresses Fabio Capello in Milan’s win over Napoli: will he return to Real Madrid?

He’s almost become Real Madrid’s forgotten man but Brahim Díaz is putting forward a strong case to become an important player for the reigning European champions next season. Currently in the third year of a loan spell at Milan, the Spain international helped the club win their first Serie A title in 11 years in 2021-22, but it’s this season when he has truly shone, as evidenced in the Champions League quarter-final first leg against Napoli.

Capello: “I didn’t like him as a player”

Diaz’s recent performances for the Rossoneri have proved doubters wrong, no more so than former Real Madrid manager Fabio Capello, who covered Wednesday’s European clash for Italian broadcaster Sky Sport.

“I was wrong about Brahim Diaz... I didn’t like him as a player; I thought he wasn’t at Milan’s level. But now he has completely changed, improved. He has matured a lot physically and mentally. Before, he did a few things, but now he does exactly what is needed. Now he makes the difference.”

Praise indeed from a man who was known during his time in management as a particularly tough task master.

Díaz makes his mark on Milan

Díaz already has more goal contributions (goals and assists) this season than in each of the last two campaigns after forcing his way into the starting line-up having previously been in and out of the team. And his general performance levels have improved no end, including two masterful displays against Napoli in recent weeks.

On 2 April, he inspired Milan to a 4-0 thrashing of the Serie A leaders in their own stadium, scoring once and setting up another for Rafael Leão. And on Wednesday in the Champions League, he again played a pivotal role in defeating the same opponents, with a sumptuous turn inside his own half starting the counter-attack which ended with Ismael Bennacer smashing in the only goal of the game.

Will Díaz play for Milan or Real Madrid next season?

Can we now say with certainty that Díaz is starting to fulfil his undoubted potential? Real Madrid certainly seem to think so. As tweeted by Italian soccer journalist Fabrizio Romano, Los Blancos want him to return to Estadio Santiago Bernabéu next season and further reports claim their intention is to offer him a long-term contract.

However, Milan haven’t given up hope of holding onto a player who has become an important part of their attacking arsenal. The likelihood is that they will have to part with somewhere in the region of €22-27 million if they want to have any chance of keeping Díaz at San Siro, but it is Real Madrid who hold all the cards.