Football - Achraf Hakimi: Better days in sight

Sixth at the Ballon d'Or 2025, author of the most accomplished season of his career with six trophies won (Ligue 1, Coupe de France, Trophée des champions, Champions League, European Super Cup, Intercontinental Cup), Achraf Hakimi has settled in the very restricted circle of players capable of permanently influencing major European posters.

At Paris Saint-Germain, the Lion of the Atlas has become much more than a modern lateral. A technical leader, an accelerator of transitions, a player whose permanent projection structures the game of his team.

An AFCON between physical pain and mental fracture
The rupture began even before the AFCON 2025. Victim of an ankle injury that threatened his participation in the tournament organized in Morocco, Hakimi forced his return. He played diminished, chained the minutes, assumed his status as captain.

But the cruel defeat in the final against Senegal (0-1), in front of his compatriots, left its mark. Morocco has been chasing a continental victory since 1976. For Hakimi, the psychological impact was obvious. During the competition already, his usual volume and ability to repeat high-intensity races seemed altered.

The return to Paris did not immediately reverse the trend. Unusual nervousness, performances below, red card against Strasbourg in Ligue 1, which caused him to miss the Classic against OM, the context was not favorable. Moreover, following the tensions during the final against Senegal, he learns that the CAF is imposing on him a sanction of two matches of suspension, including one with a suspended sentence, for unsportsmanlike behavior.

His coach Luis Enrique had publicly pointed out the problem.

 "The first thing Hakimi must do is to rest. He is coming back from the AFCON, where he had a brilliant result in my opinion. He played a lot after a big injury. He needs rest to free his head," 

the Spanish technician said. From then on, the diagnosis was twofold: physical overload and mental fatigue.

Green signals on the horizon
For several weeks, the curve seems to be reversing. Against Rennes, despite a surprise defeat, Hakimi proved decisive by offering a goal to Ousmane Dembélé. Three days later, during the first leg of the Champions League play-off against Monaco, his activity reminded his best face.

Down by two goals, Paris saw their full-back equalize by scoring a goal faithful to him. More than the goal, it’s the repetition of the races, the ability to attack the depth and support the offensive transitions that marked. On the third Parisian goal scored by Désiré Doué, Hakimi intervenes in a typical sequence of his register: rapid projection, fixation, active participation in the construction in counter-attack.

The Parisian staff understood that the Moroccan had to continue to find his optimal rhythm. Contrary to the temptation to spare it excessively, the choice was that of competitive continuity.

A key element in defending the title
If PSG wants to keep its Champions League, the contribution of Achraf Hakimi will be decisive. In Luis Enrique’s system, the right lateral is a strategic piece. Against Metz in the last match, he confirmed this rise in power: more technical accuracy, less precipitation, a defensive volume regained.

A few hours before receiving AS Monaco for the return leg play offs in the UEFA Champions League (20h GMT), with a qualification for the eighth finals on the line, Hakimi has an ideal opportunity to validate his reconstruction. Physically, the supports seem more dynamic. Mentally, the attitude is more soothed.

The real test now is not only to come back, but to become decisive again in major meetings. And on that ground, Achraf Hakimi has already proven that he belonged to the elite.