“Hakimi’s status has not changed in the past two years. He is one of the leaders in the locker room. His teammates chose him as 2nd captain, it indicates his status and his level in the team… I am very happy to have him in the team. (…) He is without a doubt the best right-back in the world for me”. Recently questioned about Achraf Hakimi, Luis Enrique was rave. Could it be otherwise? Arriving in the City of Lights in July 2021, the number 2 of Paris Saint-Germain never ceases to impress. In his right lane, the Moroccan international (88 caps, 11 goals) seems, in fact, to have found a territory too narrow for his imagination. So he stretches it, he twists it, he transcends it. As a result, since he settled in the French capital, the player who played for Inter Milan, Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund has been piling up titles and posting disconcerting statistics (27 goals and 38 assists in 189 matches in all competitions).
A hybrid and ultra-decisive full-back
In addition to these figures and a certain defensive solidity, we can above all guess a player who is no longer content to inhabit his position: he reinvents it. Sometimes a scout, sometimes a finisher, sometimes even a conductor appearing where he is least expected, Luis Enrique’s protégé ultimately makes the role of right-back an art in motion. Each throw is imbued with a chilling determination, each defensive return bears the signature of elegance. “He is the best right-back in the world. He impresses me, with a volume of play, with technical quality, in small spaces. He has offensive accuracy. He’s a right back, but he’s a piston, a right front. I’m sure we can put it on the other side. He’s a modern player.”recognized, in this capacity, his new teammate Lucas Chevalier. Dubbed by his partners, praised in the press and acclaimed by Parisian supporters, the one who has just celebrated his 27th candle finally reached unexpected heights, or at least never reached before.
By breaking the patterns and broadening the tactical horizon, the native of Madrid is, in fact, transforming his right flank into a real open stage, where a new way of understanding football is invited. At the top of his art – despite an injury which will keep him away from the field for the next few weeks – the powerful 1m81 right-hander, tireless and precious in his versatility, did not fail to salute the impact of Luis Enrique in his trajectory. “I think it allowed me to see football in different ways. To see football at different positions thanks to its systems. From time to time I play indoors. I also do different movements that I didn’t know how to do before or that I didn’t feel capable of doing. He taught me that. That’s why we see a different Hakimi”the Moroccan told us last April. And what about this version 2.0…
Coronation time?
Sixth in the last Ballon d’Or – a final ranking considered harsh by many observers – Achraf Hakimi is, in fact, coming off a historic 2024-2025 season (11 goals and 16 goals in 55 matches in all competitions). A great architect of Parisian domination on the national (Ligue 1, Coupe de France, Champions Trophy) and continental (Champions League, European Super Cup) scene, the Ile-de-France full-back – scorer in the quarter-final, semi-final and final of the last edition of C1 – ultimately played a major role in the performances of the Parisian club, while standing out for his endurance and his playing intelligence. “It’s something that God gave me, this power in cardio, for prolonged efforts. I have a personal trainer and nutritionist, and the coach has managed my playing time well so that I always arrive in good shape”specified, with this in mind, the fatal weapon of the Rouge et Bleu. Capable of evolving in more central positions by taking advantage of the permutations put in place by Luis Enrique, as was the case with his goals against Arsenal and Inter in the Champions League, Achraf Hakimi finds himself, today, in first place in many offensive statistical categories.
Among the defenders/pistons in the European Top 5 in all competitions since September 2024, he is the one with the highest number of balls touched (6568), more than Virgil van Dijk (5688), Josko Gvardiol (5389), Willian Pacho (5300) or even Alessandro Bastoni (5295). But that’s not all. At the top of the assists rankings (17) ahead of Alejandro Grimaldo (16) and Pedro Porro (12), the boss of the Atlas Lions is also the second most decisive player in front of goal (13 goals), just behind the piston of Inter Milan, Denzel Dumfries (14). An influence found in a number of other areas and confirming the significant weight of the Moroccan under the Parisian tunic: 2nd in the number of successful passes (4540), 2nd defender/piston having attempted the most shots (108), 1st in the number of passes attempted (5042), 1st in the number of balls touched in the opposing area (247), 1st in the number of shots on target (44). Logically awarded the Marc-Vivien Foé Prize, recognizing the best African player in Ligue 1, Achraf Hakimi is now aiming higher.
Although exclusively driven by the desire to fill PSG’s trophy cabinet, the Parisian is, in fact, one of the ten finalists for the 2025 African Ballon d’Or. “I don’t think about it constantly, but now that I have a chance to win it, it’s become a dream! I have worked a lot to be able to win titles, collective and individual, and now that I am one of the players preselected to win it… I think I am one of the players who deserve it after the season I had, and I am happy to be one of the favorites. It also motivates me more to continue making efforts to hopefully make the list again next year.”the person recently confided. Alongside Mohamed Salah (4th in the last Ballon d’Or), Victor Osimhen, Serhou Guirassy, Pape Matar Sarr, Iliman Ndiaye, Denis Bouanga, Fiston Mayele, Frank Zambo Anguissa but also Oussama Lamlioui, Achraf Hakimi is today the undisputed favorite. Answer this Wednesday, November 19, during the CAF Awards, organized in Rabat, where the Moroccan should win his first major individual distinction, a symbol of exceptional and unalterable talent.
