Achraf Hakimi shines in historic season with PSG

Achraf Hakimi played a crucial role in Paris Saint-Germain’s triumphant Champions League campaign, capped by a commanding 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in the final in Munich. The Moroccan international opened the scoring, finishing off a brilliant one-touch passing move involving Kvaratskhelia, Fabian Ruiz, Vitinha, and Désiré Doué that dismantled Inter's defense and left goalkeeper Yann Sommer helpless.

At the Allianz Arena, Hakimi chose not to celebrate out of respect for Inter Milan's 18,000 fans in attendance. A former player for the Italian side during the 2020–2021 season, his gesture reflected class and humility.

This goal marked his ninth direct contribution in this year’s Champions League  more than top forwards like Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappé and Manchester City's Erling Haaland, who each had eight but exited earlier in the competition.

Already a cornerstone of PSG’s defense for several seasons, Hakimi has elevated his game further this year. Former PSG coach Christophe Galtier recently called him the best right-back in the world, highlighting his synergy with teammates and unmatched speed and technique.

Hakimi was recently awarded the Marc-Vivien Foé Prize, recognizing him as the best African player in Ligue 1, and positioning him as a strong contender for African Player of the Year  a rare feat for a defensive player since Yaya Touré in 2014.

He credits current coach Luis Enrique for helping him reach new levels. "I’ve had great coaches, but Luis Enrique helped me become more complete," Hakimi said in May.

A modern full-back, Hakimi’s strength lies in his offensive drive, frequently joining attacks to create numerical advantages. In the final, he gave Inter’s Federico Dimarco a tough time, nearly scoring a second goal in a swift counterattack with Ousmane Dembélé, only to be denied by Francesco Acerbi.

Reflecting on his development, Hakimi described this season as one of his best. "I’ve matured both on and off the pitch. I feel more confident and experienced," he noted.

Having reached the World Cup semi-finals with Morocco in 2022, Hakimi now adds a Champions League title at age 26. As vice-captain alongside Donnarumma and Kimpembé, he is a pillar of PSG’s future. His importance to the club was reaffirmed with a contract extension through 2029, well beyond his original deal that was due to expire in 2026.

However, Hakimi's off-field situation remains unresolved. Since March 3, 2023, he has been under investigation following a rape accusation. The judicial process is still ongoing, according to sources close to the case.