An infographic released showed Real Madrid’s starting line-up for their pre-season opener against AC Milan in the United States with a player named Abdelkader on the right flank and sporting jersey number 21.
Los Blancos came back from 2-0 down at the end of the first half to beat the Rossoneri by a 3-2 scoreline at the Rose Bowl.
It came to light that it was indeed former Spain international and attacking midfielder Brahim Diaz who was facing his former side for the first time post the conclusion of a three-year-long loan spell spent at the San Siro.
Brahim extended his contract with Carlo Ancelotti’s side until the summer of 2027, returning to the club after most recently sporting the number 10 for AC Milan following Hakan Calhanoglu’s departure for city rivals Inter Milan.
He has opted to switch national allegiance to Morocco, a country he is eligible to represent owing to his grandmother’s ancestry.
The 23-year-old’s full name is Brahim Abdelkader Diaz, with Abdelkader his first or paternal surname and Diaz his second or maternal surname.
As per the convention in Spain, a Spanish name is usually composed of a single or composite given name and the first surname of each parent, with the father’s first surname appearing first.
Generally, the practice is to use one given name and the first surname while the complete name is usually reserved for legal, formal, and documentary matters.
Second-half substitute Vinicius Jr., who scored the winner in this fixture and will wear the number 7 jersey from the upcoming season, was shown as Paixao, which is the winger’s first or maternal family name as per the Portuguese naming conventions.
Incidentally, the Brazil international’s full name is Vinicius Jose Paixao de Oliveira Junior.
Brahim failed to set the world on fire during his stint at the San Siro but chipped in with important goals such as the only one separating the Rossoneri and Tottenham Hotspur in the Round of 16 of the Champions League.
Following Marco Asensio’s departure for Paris Saint-Germain this summer on a free transfer, the versatile midfielder, who has also occupied the right wing at times, will hope to make a name for himself in the Spanish capital.