Achraf Hakimi
Moroccan footballer.
Achraf Hakimi is a Moroccan professional footballer who plays as a right-back for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in Ligue 1. Born on November 4, 1998, in Madrid, Spain, Hakimi began his footballing journey in the youth academy of Real Madrid. He made his professional debut with Real Madrid in 2017, but it was during his loan spell at Borussia Dortmund (2018-2020) where he truly came into prominence. At Dortmund, Hakimi's exceptional pace, dribbling, and attacking prowess made him one of the most exciting full-backs in Europe.
In 2020, he transferred to Inter Milan, where he played a crucial role in the club's Serie A title-winning campaign under Antonio Conte. His performances at Inter caught the attention of PSG, who signed him in the summer of 2021. At PSG, Hakimi has continued to excel, integrating seamlessly into a star-studded squad and becoming a key component of the team's tactical setup.
Hakimi is known for his blistering speed, ability to deliver accurate crosses, and knack for scoring goals, which is relatively rare for a defender. He is versatile, capable of playing as a right-back, wing-back, or even a winger, offering tactical flexibility to his coaches. Additionally, Hakimi is an important player for the Moroccan national team, contributing significantly to their successes on the international stage.
At PSG, Hakimi’s dynamism and consistency have helped the club in both domestic and European competitions. He is widely regarded as one of the best right-backs in the world, combining defensive solidity with a potent attacking threat, making him an indispensable asset to both his club and country.
Early life & youth football
Achraf Hakimi was born on November 4, 1998, in Madrid, Spain, to Moroccan parents. Growing up in the multicultural neighborhood of Getafe, a suburb of Madrid, Hakimi was exposed to diverse influences from an early age. His parents had immigrated to Spain from Morocco in search of better opportunities, and they instilled in Hakimi a strong work ethic and appreciation for both his Moroccan heritage and Spanish upbringing.
As a child, Hakimi showed an early passion for football, often playing with friends in the streets and local parks of Getafe. His natural talent and enthusiasm for the sport quickly became apparent, catching the attention of local coaches and scouts.
At the age of eight, Hakimi joined the youth academy of CD Colonia Ofigevi, a local club in Getafe. It was here that he began to develop his skills more formally, learning the fundamentals of the game and showcasing his versatility on the pitch. His performances at Colonia Ofigevi did not go unnoticed, and in 2006, at just seven years old, Hakimi was invited to join Real Madrid's prestigious youth academy, La Fábrica.
Joining Real Madrid's youth system was a pivotal moment in Hakimi's young career. He progressed through various age groups, continually impressing coaches with his speed, technical ability, and tactical understanding of the game. Hakimi's versatility allowed him to play in multiple positions across the defense and midfield, though he began to specialize as a right-back as he got older.
Throughout his time in Real Madrid's academy, Hakimi honed his skills alongside some of Spain's most talented young players. He represented Real Madrid at various youth levels, participating in prestigious tournaments and gaining valuable experience against top-level competition. His performances in the UEFA Youth League and with Real Madrid Castilla, the club's reserve team, further solidified his reputation as one of the most promising young talents in Spanish football.
Career beginnings
The 2016/2017 season was a crucial period in Achraf Hakimi's development, as he continued to make strides with Real Madrid Castilla, the club's B team competing in Segunda División B, the third tier of Spanish football. At just 18 years old, Hakimi was already a regular starter for Castilla, impressing with his attacking prowess from the right-back position.
Throughout the season, Hakimi made 28 appearances for Castilla, contributing two goals and three assists. His performances caught the eye of first-team manager Zinedine Zidane, who began to integrate Hakimi into first-team training sessions. This exposure to the senior squad was invaluable for Hakimi's growth, allowing him to train alongside world-class players and adapt to a higher level of play.
While Hakimi didn't make his official first-team debut this season, he was included in the matchday squad for a few La Liga games, giving him a taste of the top-flight atmosphere. His consistent performances for Castilla and involvement with the first team laid the groundwork for his breakthrough in the following season.
Internationally, Hakimi continued to represent Morocco at the youth level, further developing his skills and gaining experience in international competition.
The 2017/2018 season marked Achraf Hakimi's breakthrough into Real Madrid's first team. With first-choice right-back Dani Carvajal facing injury issues, Zinedine Zidane turned to the young Hakimi as a reliable backup option.
Hakimi made his official first-team debut for Real Madrid on October 1, 2017, in a La Liga match against Espanyol. He went on to make 17 appearances across all competitions for Real Madrid that season, including nine in La Liga and two in the UEFA Champions League. Hakimi's performances were impressive for a player of his age, showcasing his attacking flair and defensive solidity.
One of the highlights of Hakimi's season came when he scored his first goal for Real Madrid in a Copa del Rey match against Fuenlabrada on November 28, 2017. His contributions helped Real Madrid secure the UEFA Champions League title, although he didn't feature in the final.
Internationally, Hakimi cemented his place in the Moroccan national team, making his senior debut in October 2016. He played a crucial role in Morocco's successful 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign, featuring in key matches and helping his nation reach the tournament for the first time in 20 years.
Following his breakthrough at Real Madrid, Achraf Hakimi joined Borussia Dortmund on a two-year loan deal for the 2018/2019 season. This move provided Hakimi with regular first-team football in a top European league. At Dortmund, he quickly established himself as a key player, primarily operating as a right-back but also showing his versatility by playing on the left when needed.
Hakimi made 28 appearances in the Bundesliga, scoring two goals and providing seven assists. His attacking contributions and pace made him a perfect fit for Dortmund's high-intensity style of play. He also featured in the UEFA Champions League, where he particularly impressed with two goals in a 4-0 win over Atlético Madrid. Dortmund finished second in the Bundesliga, with Hakimi playing a significant role in their title challenge.
Hakimi's second season at Borussia Dortmund saw him further cement his reputation as one of the most exciting young full-backs in world football. He continued to be a regular starter, making 45 appearances across all competitions. His attacking output improved significantly, with five goals and 10 assists in the Bundesliga alone.
His performances in the Champions League were particularly noteworthy, with four goals and four assists in eight matches. Hakimi's speed and ability to contribute in attack made him a crucial part of Dortmund's tactics. Despite the season being interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, Hakimi maintained his form when play resumed, helping Dortmund secure second place in the Bundesliga once again.
Becoming a key player
After his successful loan spell at Dortmund, Hakimi transferred to Inter Milan for a reported fee of around €40 million. Under Antonio Conte's management, Hakimi thrived in a wing-back role in Inter's 3-5-2 formation. This system perfectly suited his attacking instincts and defensive capabilities.
Hakimi had an outstanding season, contributing seven goals and 11 assists in 37 Serie A appearances. His performances were instrumental in Inter Milan winning their first Scudetto in 11 years, breaking Juventus' nine-year dominance of Italian football. Hakimi's combination of pace, crossing ability, and goal-scoring threat made him one of the standout players in Serie A.
Following his successful season at Inter, Hakimi moved to Paris Saint-Germain for a reported fee of around €60 million. At PSG, he joined a star-studded team featuring players like Kylian Mbappé, Neymar, and Lionel Messi. Hakimi quickly adapted to Ligue 1, maintaining his high level of performance.
In his first season in France, Hakimi made 41 appearances across all competitions, scoring four goals and providing six assists. He played a key role in PSG reclaiming the Ligue 1 title, showcasing his attacking prowess and defensive solidity. While PSG faced disappointment in the Champions League, Hakimi continued to prove himself as one of the world's best right-backs.
Hakimi's second season at PSG saw him continue as a regular starter, further integrating into the team's tactics. He made 39 appearances across all competitions, contributing five goals and six assists. PSG won Ligue 1 again, with Hakimi playing a crucial role in their domestic success.
Internationally, this season was particularly significant for Hakimi as he played a starring role in Morocco's historic run to the semi-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. His performances, including a coolly chipped penalty in the shootout win over Spain, helped Morocco become the first African team to reach a World Cup semi-final.
Achraf Hakimi's 2023/2024 season with Paris Saint-Germain has been marked by consistent performances and continued importance to the team's tactics. As one of PSG's key players, Hakimi has maintained his high level of play, contributing significantly in both defensive and offensive aspects of the game.
In Ligue 1, Hakimi has been a regular starter, showcasing his attacking prowess from the right-back position. His speed and crossing ability have been crucial in PSG's attacking play, providing width and creating chances for the team's forwards. He has contributed several assists and has also found the net himself on multiple occasions, underlining his goal-scoring threat from defense.
In the UEFA Champions League, Hakimi has been instrumental in PSG's campaign, featuring in crucial matches and demonstrating his ability to perform at the highest level of club football. His experience and tactical understanding have been valuable assets in high-pressure European fixtures.
Defensively, Hakimi has shown improvement, working on his positioning and one-on-one defending. His recovery pace continues to be a significant asset, allowing him to track back quickly and thwart counterattacks.
Off the field, Hakimi has faced some personal challenges, with legal issues making headlines. However, he has maintained his focus on football, letting his performances speak for themselves.
As the season progresses, Hakimi remains a key figure in PSG's quest for domestic and European success. His consistent performances and ability to influence games from the right-back position continue to make him one of the most valuable and exciting full-backs in world football.
Start of his international career
Achraf Hakimi's youth international career was marked by a unique situation due to his dual Spanish-Moroccan heritage. Born and raised in Spain, Hakimi was eligible to represent both countries at the international level.
Initially, Hakimi represented Spain at the youth level. He was called up to the Spanish U17 team in 2015 and participated in several matches, showcasing his potential on the international stage. His performances for Spain's youth teams were impressive, reflecting the skills he was developing in Real Madrid's academy.
However, as Hakimi progressed in his career, he began to feel a stronger connection to his Moroccan roots. In 2016, at the age of 17, he made the decision to switch his international allegiance to Morocco. This choice was influenced by his family background and his desire to represent the country of his parents' origin.
After switching to Morocco, Hakimi quickly became involved with their youth setup. He represented Morocco at the U20 level, participating in various tournaments and friendlies. His performances for Morocco's youth teams were outstanding, demonstrating his attacking prowess from the full-back position and his ability to contribute significantly to both defensive and offensive phases of play.
Hakimi's time in Morocco's youth teams was relatively short-lived, as his rapid development and impressive performances soon caught the attention of the senior national team coaches. His transition from youth to senior international football was swift, reflecting his exceptional talent and maturity on the pitch.
Full international
Hakimi's senior international career with Morocco began in 2016, shortly after he decided to represent the country of his parents' birth. He made his debut for the Moroccan national team on October 11, 2016, in a friendly match against Canada, coming on as a substitute at the age of just 17.
Hakimi quickly established himself as a key player for Morocco. His first major tournament was the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign, where he played a crucial role in helping Morocco reach the World Cup finals for the first time in 20 years. At the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Hakimi started all three group stage matches, impressing with his performances despite Morocco's early exit from the tournament.
Following the World Cup, Hakimi continued to be a cornerstone of the Moroccan national team. He was a key player in Morocco's 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign, where the team reached the round of 16 before being eliminated by Benin on penalties.
The 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (postponed to 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic) saw Hakimi further cement his status as one of Africa's top players. He scored two crucial free-kicks in the tournament, including a stunning last-minute winner against Malawi in the round of 16. Morocco reached the quarter-finals before being knocked out by Egypt.
However, it was during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar that Hakimi truly shone on the international stage. As part of a talented Moroccan squad, he played a pivotal role in the team's historic run to the semi-finals – the first time an African nation had ever reached this stage of the World Cup. Hakimi's performances were outstanding throughout the tournament, particularly in the round of 16 match against Spain, where he coolly chipped in the winning penalty in the shootout.
Throughout his international career, Hakimi has consistently demonstrated his value to the Moroccan team, not just through his defensive capabilities but also through his attacking contributions. His ability to provide width, deliver crosses, and even score crucial goals has made him an indispensable part of Morocco's tactics.
As of 2023, Hakimi has earned over 60 caps for Morocco and has established himself as one of the leaders of the team despite his young age. His international career has been marked by continuous growth and improvement, mirroring his club career trajectory. Hakimi's performances for Morocco have not only elevated his personal status in world football but have also played a significant role in raising the profile of Moroccan and African football on the global stage.
Playing style
Hakimi is known for his dynamic and versatile style of play, which combines defensive solidity with exceptional attacking prowess. As a modern full-back or wing-back, Hakimi's game is characterized by his blistering pace, both with and without the ball, which allows him to cover large areas of the pitch effectively.
Offensively, Hakimi is a constant threat. His speed and dribbling ability enable him to beat defenders and create space for crosses or cut-backs. He possesses excellent crossing ability and can also cut inside to shoot or create chances for teammates. His goal-scoring record is impressive for a defender, reflecting his ability to arrive late in the box or strike from distance.
Defensively, Hakimi's speed allows him to recover quickly and make crucial interceptions. He's adept at one-on-one defending and uses his athleticism to keep up with even the fastest wingers.
Hakimi's tactical intelligence and positional awareness make him equally effective in a back four or as a wing-back in a system with three central defenders. His versatility allows him to play on either flank, though he's most commonly deployed on the right.
Overall, Hakimi embodies the modern full-back role, equally comfortable defending his own box or contributing to attacks in the opposition's half.