PROFILE | Achraf Hakimi – PSG’s most dependable among world’s best | OneFootball

When you begin your senior career at Real Madrid, you learn the importance of winning quickly and doing it often. It is something Achraf Hakimi has done at every club he’s been a part of.

The Moroccan international has probably thrived more than any player at Paris Saint-Germain since Luis Enrique took charge. The Spaniard has emphasised more attacking since becoming the PSG manager, which has liberated Hakimi to show off his various skills and become one of the best wing-backs in Europe. In a club interview last year, Hakimi said that Enrique’s presence had “really benefitted” him. “His style of play is how I like to play: constant attacking,” added the Morocco international.

Hakimi’s versatility as a right or left-back has been invaluable to Luis Enrique. Les Parisiens boast the best attack and (joint-best) defence in Ligue 1 at the moment, and the 2024 Olympic bronze medallist is a big reason why. PSG are the only unbeaten side in the league after 15 matchdays and they appear to be well on their way to claiming a fourth successive domestic title since Hakimi signed.

In the early stages of his senior career at Real Madrid, Hakimi had been known primarily as a tough and resolute defender, incapable of bringing much to the table going forward under Zinédine Zidane’s setup for the Spanish giants. Zizou had the Madrid-born defender as more of a depth piece in his team, with Dani Carvajal and Nacho usually ahead of him in the pecking order. That all changed though when Hakimi came to Borussia Dortmund on loan in 2018. During his time in the Bundesliga, he rounded out his game nicely, being among the speediest players in the German top-flight at that time, while he was also given the green light to go forward more often. That led to a move to Inter Milan, where he netted a career-high seven goals in Serie A under Antonio Conte as they won the league in his only season there (2020-21).

An elite chance creator

PSG reportedly paid a €60m transfer fee to get Hakimi. Hakimi’s proven to be a worthwhile investment for the club’s owners, with the Moroccan rarely showing signs of fatigue despite the demands of Ligue 1 and the Champions League. Not only has he been able to log his share of minutes at the club, but most of his team’s attacks begin with him. Bradley Barcola has been PSG’s primary target in the attacking third this season, and Hakimi’s service have enabled the Frenchman to have such a strong campaign so far. Hakimi has been among the best in the French top-flight this season when it comes to creating big chances. With his pinpoint balls into the box and sound positioning at the back, it’s no wonder PSG are reportedly trying to sign him up to a new contract.

The man who turned 26 in November still has blazing speed down the flanks, showing plenty of power and determination. He is tactically and technically very adept while being among the best in the league regarding long-ball accuracy.

Throughout his career, the Moroccan has played in his share of pressure cooker games for both club and country. During the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, he helped his country reach new heights, as his “Panenka” penalty enabled them to defeat Spain in a nervy round of 16 shootout. They would beat Portugal in the next phase, becoming the first African team to reach the semi-finals in World Cup history. At the Olympics in Paris this past summer, he was one of three overaged players in the Moroccan squad, captaining the team to a third-place finish with two goals in the knockout round.

Under Luis Enrique, Hakimi has been encouraged to step into a midfield role when his team has the ball, operating in a similar role to Joao Cancelo during his days at Manchester City and Trent Alexander-Arnold at Liverpool. While Hakimi usually operates down the right, he is more than comfortable receiving the ball and distributing it in central areas. In 2024-25, Hakimi has had many more responsibilities to be a leader at the back and also help kickstart PSG’s transitional moments. He’s adapted and shown the ability to flourish in various roles, which explains why he’s been among the highest-rated players in Ligue 1 this season.

Hakimi recipient of multiple honours

For his outstanding contributions, Hakimi was nominated for African Footballer of the Year in 2023 and 2024, finishing second behind Victor Osimhen last year.

Hakimi has been tremendous for PSG going forward once again this season, getting plenty of touches while always making his teammates look good. At both club level and on the international stage, he’s never been afraid to step up in a big moment and hasn’t looked overwhelmed in spite of the pressure. However, his defensive positioning has at times been called into question, as has his decision-making within his own third. Those weaknesses in Hakimi’s game have not been shown up in Ligue 1, or have been very rarely, but they have been more evident in the Champions League, even if there are signs of progress in this regard.

The PSG vice-captain has twice been named to the Ligue 1 Team of the Year in 2022-23 and 2023-24 while twice claiming the honour of Best Moroccan Player abroad. Hakimi’s contributions during his country’s run to the 2022 World Cup semi-finals enabled him to have the Order of the Throne bestowed on him that same year, the highest honour in Morocco. His high energy and leadership qualities have been invaluable to a team transitioning away from Kylian Mbappé in 2024 and trying to remain a force in both France and Europe. He’s making a very strong case to be named their player of the season and has been a key contributor to their success domestically. If Les Parisiens are to have success in Europe in 2025, he will likely play a starring role.

GFFN | Joël Lefevre