On November 4, 2025, during the Champions League clash against Bayern Munich, Luis Diaz decided to turn Achraf Hakimi’s season upside down. The Colombian striker tackled the ankle of the Moroccan who was coming out after a very serious sprain. The images of the Moroccan leaving the pitch in tears made the rounds on social networks a few weeks before a CAN at home with Morocco. A huge blow for the Atlas Lions and the man, elected African Ballon d’Or 2025, who was to lead the selection to their first CAN since 1976.
The rest, we now know. The Moroccan right-back decided not to have surgery, greatly accelerating his rehabilitation to be fit for the CAN. “A sacrifice” mentioned his coach Walid Regragui. A very risky bet which did not come far from bearing fruit with this final lost against Senegal on January 18. But in content, his return to competition during the final stages was not convincing. Because unsurprisingly, Hakimi had decided to play while being very far from his best level. Too far. Far from his usual rides on the right flank, less sharp defensively, the Moroccan had played diminished and he clearly lacked the rhythm to regain his best level. And Luis Enrique, when recovering his player, quickly warned that he needed to continue to get back in shape, in the final sprint of the season.
The return of the real Hakimi
His return to competition against Strasbourg was very delicate with the addition of a red card depriving him of the Classic against OM. Back and captain last weekend against Rennes, the Moroccan missed out again in the defeat of his team with difficulties on the defensive and technical level, but with improvement physically. This evening against Metz, captain of a team slightly reshuffled between the two European rounds against Monaco, Hakimi responded. Of course, against the red lantern Metz, without a victory for more than three months in the championship, it must be put into perspective. But the Moroccan was still omnipresent, being the player who recovered the most balls (7) and the second player who touched the most balls (90) behind Zaire-Emery (111). Constantly found in the corridor, sharp in his climbs (he sometimes even played higher than Désiré Doué), the 27-year-old full-back seemed to find a second wind and this offensive freedom that Luis Enrique has given him for two years. Without a certain clumsiness in front of goal, he could have finished with a goal on the clock.
And if he finished with his hands on his knees after numerous returns to his lane, Hakimi reassured him. The window is now perfect. Wednesday at the Parc des Princes, PSG hosts Monaco for the second leg of the Champions League with a small lead thanks to the stunning success in the Principality five days ago. Luis Enrique will need a Hakimi for big nights, one who can lock down the right lane while bringing danger in the offensive phases. The rise of the Moroccan as PSG arrives at the most important moment of its season is obviously very good. Because without a great Hakimi, PSG will have difficulty competing against the big European teams. A timely return…
