Achraf Hakimi experienced probably the most bitter birthday of his career. The Real Madrid youth product, now a key player for Paris Saint-Germain and captain of the Morocco national team, turned 27 amid widespread concern about his physical condition.
The full-back left the Parc des Princes on crutches and wearing an orthopedic boot after suffering a badly sprained left ankle caused by a hard tackle from Luis Diaz, who was sent off following VAR intervention.
Hakimi’s tearful gesture of pain as he left the field left not only PSG, but all of Morocco, which is already counting down the days until the start of the Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled for December 21, with the Atlas Lions as hosts.
“A dream has been broken”: Morocco holds its breath
The news came as a cold shower in the Maghreb country, where Hakimi is not only a sporting star, but a national symbol. “I am convinced that a dream has been broken for him. You can’t imagine what it means for Hakimi to play the Africa Cup of Nations at home. He is the captain, a national hero,” said journalist Hervé Penot of L’Équipe.
In Morocco, the local media reflected the emotional impact of the incident. The portal Hespress headlined: “Morocco holds its breath. The whole country felt a pang of pain,” while Le 360 remarked: “Nightmare night. Hakimi represents much more than a player: he is one of the most constant pillars of the national team”.
The injury comes at the worst possible time: with Morocco aiming to win the continental title in front of their home fans and just a month and a half before their debut in the competition.
More optimistic forecasts from Paris
Even so, it is not all bad news. As Giovanni Castaldi advanced, also in L’Équipe, the first medical reports offered a hopeful prognosis. “He will have an MRI tomorrow [today]. According to the first reports, he will be out for three to five weeks,” the journalist explained.
If this forecast is confirmed, Hakimi could arrive in time to play in the continental tournament, although his presence will depend on the evolution of his ankle. “Great news for Hakimi, great!” celebrated RMC Sport journalist Daniel Riolo on social media.
For his part, the PSG coach preferred to play down the drama of the episode and Luis Diaz’s tackle. “It’s soccer, it’s a contact sport. I also remember Musiala’s injury. These are simply unfortunate incidents. Tomorrow [today] we will see the doctor to find out the nature of these injuries,” he told a press conference.
Hakimi’s weight in Morocco and at PSG
For Morocco, losing Hakimi would be a difficult blow to take. The right-back is the heart and soul of Walid Regragui’s team, both on and off the field. His leadership was essential during the Qatar 2022 World Cup, where the Atlas Lions became the first African team to reach the semifinals, making world soccer history.
At PSG, Hakimi has also established himself as one of the most important players in the scheme. His speed, power and unbalance make him a
The Spanish coach, aware of the player’s role in the squad, has on more than one occasion expressed his admiration for the Moroccan: “He is a player who understands the game, who has ambition and who does not settle”.
Africa Cup, a very special event for Hakimi
December 21 is marked in red on the footballer’s calendar. Morocco will host the African Cup of Nations (CAN), a tournament that, as he himself has stated on numerous occasions, “has been a dream since I was a child”.
In this edition, the Atlas Lions start as one of the big favorites for the title, boosted by the talent of players such as Hakim Ziyech, Sofyan Amrabat, Youssef En-Nesyri and Hakimi himself.
