Lookman, Salah, and Diaz: The Rising Souls of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations

For European teams, the Africa Cup of Nations 2025, which will be held from December 2025 to January 2026, is a disaster that disrupts the rhythm of clubs amid ongoing competitions. In contrast, several players are experiencing a different situation. Representing their country provides an opportunity for some top players to breathe "fresh air" outside the club environment, which has not been ideal for them this season.

Ademola Lookman, Mohamed Salah, and Brahim Diaz experienced this. Controversial drama surrounded their performances with their respective clubs during the first half of the 2025-2026 competition campaign.

Their quality is beyond doubt. However, doubts continue to overshadow them, causing coaches at their respective clubs to no longer rely entirely on them. If not too harsh, they have already been sidelined as the main actors of the club in pursuing targets.

Lookman, for instance, experienced the worst period of his career while representing Atalanta during the 2022-2023 season. The friction with former Atalanta coach, Ivan Juric, along with his disappointment towards the club for not facilitating a transfer to Inter Milan, were the main causes.

As a result, the Nigerian national team player was sidelined more by Juric. In the 2024-2025 season, Lookman contributed 20 goals and six assists in 40 appearances with "La Dea," the nickname for Atalanta.

This condition has affected Lookman's performance and mentality. Although his average playing time remains at 72 minutes per game this season, similar to last season, Lookman has lost his best touch. He has only scored three goals and provided one assist in 16 matches.

However, a different fate was experienced by Lookman when the Nigerian national team needed his strength for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. In his three appearances in Morocco 2025, the 28-year-old player never disappointed.

A goal was contributed in three matches, including when Nigeria defeated Mozambique 4-0 in the round of 16, Tuesday (6/1/2026) early morning WIB, at the Fes Sports Complex Stadium, in the city of Fez, Morocco.

Not only a goal scorer, Lookman is also a creator for his teammates' goals. He has provided four assists in the last two matches against Mozambique and Tunisia. This record of goals and assists is already greater than his contributions for Atalanta.

"My New Year's resolution is to bring the Africa Cup of Nations gold medal back to Nigeria," Lookman was quoted as saying by Nigerian media outlet The Cable ahead of the match against Mozambique. Nigeria's "Eagles," as they are known, were last crowned African champions in 2013.

Meanwhile, Salah sent a signal to Liverpool Manager Arne Slot through his performance with the Egyptian national team at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The "King of Egypt" proved that he still possesses a sharp instinct in front of the opponent's goal.

Salah's expertise, the 33-year-old winger, has come under scrutiny in recent months before he represented Egypt. A series of matches that were previously his mainstay are no longer guaranteed for Salah. He must begin to accept playing from the bench at Liverpool.

However, the mentality of elite footballer Salah speaks differently in Morocco. Three appearances have consistently resulted in one goal for Egypt. Notably, he secured victory and a quarter-final ticket for Egypt with his team's third goal against Benin on Monday (5/1/2026) at the Adrar Stadium in Agadir. The match ended with a score of 3-1 in favor of Egypt.

The trust of Egyptian Coach Hossam Hassan was reciprocated in the best way by Salah. The main position and the captain's armband are evidence that Salah is the most important player for Egypt.

The situation has fueled Salah's determination to elevate his team's status in the African football tournament. Although he has already led Egypt to qualify for two editions of the World Cup, namely 2018 and 2026, Salah has yet to deliver an Africa Cup trophy.

Indeed, Egypt is the most successful team in the history of the Africa Cup of Nations, boasting a collection of seven championship titles. Egypt's last triumph was felt in the 2010 edition.

"I do not think we are the favorites (to win the title). We have young players, most of whom play in the domestic competition. We are just fighting for the nation. Everyone is giving their best, just like today," said Salah after the match against Benin.

Salah has scored 10 goals from 22 matches in the Africa Cup of Nations. He only needs three more goals to establish himself as Egypt's top scorer in the tournament. This record is currently held by Hassan El-Shazly, who represented Egypt from 1961 to 1975.

A similar situation is also experienced by Brahim Diaz in the Moroccan national team. The Real Madrid player is currently leading the list of goal scorers in the Africa Cup with four goals.

His performance during the four matches of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations has elevated his profile in Morocco. Moroccan supporters have consistently chanted his name in the four matches that the "Atlas Lions" have played.

Similar to Lookman and Salah, Diaz has consistently scored in every match he has played. He was the decisive factor in Morocco's victory over Tanzania in the round of 16, on Sunday (4/1/2026). In that game, Morocco won narrowly 1-0 thanks to a solitary goal from the player wearing number 10 in the 64th minute.

The happiness felt by Morocco supporters from Diaz has not been experienced by Real fans this season. Since being managed by Xabi Alonso, Diaz's playing time has drastically decreased.

In two seasons under Carlo Ancelotti, Diaz recorded an average playing time of 45 minutes per match. This season, he has only played 28 minutes per game. In fact, the number of matches in which he has appeared as a starter for Real this season is already equivalent to his appearances in the 2025 Africa Cup, which is four games.

The trust and great responsibility that rests on the shoulders when defending Morocco is what Diaz desires. He has proven that he can be an important figure for the team.

"I really feel at home. I'm really comfortable. And I know that the people here (Morocco) love me," Diaz said of his experience playing for the Atlas Lions, as reported by Powers of Africa.

Diaz is also ambitious to deliver a second Africa Cup trophy for Morocco in front of their home supporters. The first and, to date, the only time Morocco became the African champion was in 1976.

These three players have proven that their true quality will be optimal when they are in a team that believes in, is confident in, and loves their presence. (REUTERS)