Brahim Diaz shined in the absence of Vinicius Jnr for Real Madrid on Sunday as the Brazilian's last-minute absence from Real Madrid's LaLiga draw against Atletico Madrid on Sunday initially caused mass confusion.
The Brazilian was named in the hosts' starting line-up but was replaced just four-minutes before kick off and named on the bench by manager Carlo Ancelotti.
It was later revealed that the 23-year-old had suffered an injury as Madrid soldiered on in his absence, with replacement forward Diaz scoring the opening goal before Atletico fought back.
Madrid supporters were hugely impressed with Diaz's performance as he fired the hosts ahead after 20 minutes, despite only finding out he was starting before the teams walked out the tunnel.
Diaz scored his fourth league goal of the season and similarly starred with his dribbling, passing and all-round play against his side's cross-city rivals.
The Spaniard was making just his eight LaLiga start of the season and many supporters believe the weekend showing was his crowning moment in a Los Blancos shirt.
He was substituted off in the 71st minute by Ancelotti as the more senior Joselu came on and was given a standing ovation by the home supporters in the stands as he departed.
Praise then flooded social media as fans gushed over Diaz's performance, with some comparing his outstanding contribution to the style of Barcelona legend Lionel Messi.
'The whole Santiago Bernabeu is applauding Brahim and chanting his name. Well deserved,' said one Madrid supporter on X.
Another added: 'Brahim Diaz ended up being so much better than expected. Milan fans didn’t rate him that highly, we didn’t rate him that highly, but man has he proven all of us wrong so far. Slowly but surely putting up some
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