Carlo Ancelotti admitted that his minute distribution toward Brahim was not entirely fair after Real Madrid defeated Braga at the Bernabéu. Jude Bellingham, who has begun the season in spectacular fashion, found himself in a similar spotlight. Yet Brahim, the Malaga-born forward, has not shown himself to be a misfit, having found the back of the net in three of the four matches he started this season (Las Palmas, Braga, and Granada). Notably, he scored the opening goal in all three of those games, marking Brahim as Real Madrid’s earliest scorer this campaign. [citation: Real Madrid press]
In a league contest against Valencia, Brahim started the match and did not find the net in the 5-1 victory. It is true that he did score, but the goal was ruled out for an earlier offside, which affected his goals-per-championship-average. If his natural position is a midfielder, as Ancelotti suggested, Brahim has been deployed in a more advanced role on the right after recovering from his injury. Vinicius/Jr operated on the left, while Díaz delivered cross-attacks down the right, as evidenced in the clash with Granada. This setup often involved a one-two sequence with Kroos, whose intervention helped clear the ball after an assist. [citation: Real Madrid match report]
Kroos Shoe Polisher
During the post-match ceremony, the Malaga native lightened the mood by joking about the post-match responsibilities: “It was a big win for everyone. The fans supported us and pushed for the first goal. Then we played football. We know how to play. It was almost a perfect match; we dominated and created very few chances. We stayed focused throughout the game, and that discipline is the responsibility of the whole squad. When I scored, I felt the moment I needed nine points. I am very happy. Praise goes to Toni Kroos, who saw opportunities others missed. His passes are exceptional, and we already glimpse what he can do in training. Today I had to polish his shoes for many more goals like this.” [citation: Team interview]
Since Ancelotti urged him to step forward following the injuries to Bellingham and then Vinicius, Brahim has surged. He has been directly involved in six goals across his last eight appearances in all competitions for Madrid, recording four goals and two assists. In the season’s opening stretch, White had registered a single assist in the first three games, a figure that has since improved as Brahim’s influence grew. [citation: Madrid statistics]
The evolving form raises the possibility of further involvement by national team coaches who have circled Brahim. There is genuine interest from Spain’s side, with discussions hinting at a potential call if his performances continue to rise. However, the domestic side’s priority remains clear: Brahim’s focus appears aligned with Ancelotti’s project at Real Madrid. Spain’s next fixtures are scheduled for March, including a match against Brazil at the Bernabéu and another against Colombia in London; meanwhile, Morocco is preparing for the African Cup in January. Although indications point toward a decision in favor of Atlas Lions, Real Madrid remains calm, noting that Brahim has communicated his preference to continue under Ancelotti. In January, the Italian coach will likely need to manage Brahim’s minutes alongside Vinicius, whose distal tendon injury has not yet fully healed. [citation: national team chatter]