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Achraf Hakimi, a Lion in the assault on the African Ballon d’Or

For the second year in a row, Achraf Hakimi appears in the short list of candidates for the African Ballon d’Or, a distinction which has eluded Moroccan since 1998, when Mustapha Hadji was crowned. With this appointment, the Lion of the Atlas aspires to keep this prestigious trophy in Morocco and mark a new page in the history of national football, by joining the greats of this continent.

Captain of the Atlas Lions and pillar of Saint-Germain, Achraf Hakimi embodies much more than a player with impressive statistics. Number 2 represents excellence, perseverance and ambition, becoming a source of inspiration for a new generation full of talent. If Hakimi were to triumph, he would become the fifth Moroccan player to win this award, after Ahmed Faras in 1975, Mohamed Timoumi in 1985, Badou Ezaki the following year and Mustapha Hadji in 1998. He could also become the first PSG player to winning this trophy since the Liberian George Weah in 1995.

A constant climb…

His career began at Real Madrid under the orders of Zinédine Zidane. Just that. However, Achraf Hakimi cannot reveal his full potential. Used sporadically, he nevertheless shows his talent with a few matches played, assists and his professional goal against Sevilla FC. Loaned to Borussia Dortmund between 2018 and 2020, he established himself as one of the best full-backs of his generation. In 73 matches, he scored 12 goals and provided 17 assists, in all competitions. This prosperous period earned him the title of best young player at the CAF Awards in 2018, recognizing his exceptional potential. The phenomenon is there. And he proves it at the highest level. First, against the former neighbor of Atletico, defeated 4-0 with three caviars signed Hakimi. Then, against Inter Milan, whose defense concocted by Antonio Conte he ridiculed, by scoring a double.

At Inter Milan, he cemented his status as a rising star by winning the Scudetto in the 2020-21 season. With 45 matches played in the Nerazzurri jersey, 7 goals and 11 assists in all competitions, Hakimi left an indelible mark during his time with the Italian club.

Nima Tavallaey, co-founder of the Italian Football Podcast, remembers the Moroccan’s visit with enthusiasm: “When Inter signed Hakimi, everyone was so excited. We already knew he was destined to become one of the best full-backs in the world. Under Conte, he not only showed his technical and physical qualities, but also incredible mental strength. Because Conte, in general, is someone very difficult to manage”.

Read also: CAF Awards 2024: Achraf Hakimi among the five finalists vying for the title of Player of the Year

He adds: “I remember a moment when Conte dismissed him because he had not respected certain tactical instructions, particularly defensively. But Hakimi was patient, he worked hard and when he came back, he scored. Conte himself said that Hakimi had to learn, and that’s exactly what he did. After that, Inter took off.”.

For Nima Tavallaey, Hakimi remains an exceptional player who made history at Inter: “Frankly, after the Maicon era, he is by far the best attacking full-back we have had. It’s a shame he only played one season with us. Inter fans still adore him and consider him the perfect modern full-back: fast, technical, ambidextrous, with excellent crossing quality and an incredible dribbling ability. Hakimi returns it to them. In 2023, he will happily travel to Milan, to see his Inter win the derby and qualify for the Champions League final.

A brilliant season with PSG

But it is at PSG that Hakimi shows the full extent of his talent. With the capital club last season (2023-24), the 26-year-old right back was a key player in Paris Saint-Germain’s success, winning Ligue 1, the Coupe de and the Champions Trophy. . With a total of 3,237 minutes played, or around forty matches played, in all competitions, Hakimi scored 5 goals and provided 7 assists. These remarkable performances demonstrate his influence on both attack and defense.

“Under the orders of Luis Enrique, Hakimi benefits from total freedom on the offensive level, which was not necessarily the case before with Pochettino and Galtier,” analyzes Adrien Chantegrelet, journalist for Le Parisien and PSG specialist. “In the current system he is almost considered a striker. In the Champions League, he is sometimes even the most dangerous player offensively… The complicity with Ousmane Dembélé in the right lane further strengthens his influence on the Parisian game..

This freedom allowed him to shine last season by being decisive on several occasions while winning three titles. His regularity and his work also allowed him to be rewarded with a place in the eleven type of the season in the French championship.

Adrien Chantegrelet adds: “Today, Hakimi is a full-fledged executive, with no direct competitor in his position, and he also asserts himself as a leader in the locker room. Being vice-captain at PSG shows that he has gained in maturity and leadership… He is someone who does not hesitate to speak before matches. He has become an essential framework, both sportingly and humanly”.

His current start to the season with the Parisians is also impressive. In 18 matches, Achraf Hakimi has already scored 3 goals and offered 6 assists, while wearing the captain’s armband during several matches this mid-season. This responsibility shows the confidence placed in him by his coach Luis Enrique and his teammates.

Read also: Achraf Hakimi before the CAF Awards: “I hope to win this trophy”

This development results in greater regularity on the ground, as Chantegrelet pointed out: “Hakimi is a regular player, capable of making the difference in decisive moments. He is not perfect, he sometimes has waste, especially in his centers, but his self-sacrifice and his ability to reinvent himself make him a unique player..

“Achraf Hakimi is an exceptional player for his talent, but also for his ability to be present in major events, especially in the Champions League. He is one of the few full-backs capable of making a difference alone. His versatility, instinct and offensive flair make him a serious candidate for the African Ballon d’Or.concluded the journalist from Le Parisien.

A leader among the Atlas Lions

Since his first appearance in October 2016 under the Hervé Renard era, Achraf Hakimi has continued to demonstrate his love for the jersey and his attachment to the Moroccan selection. From the start, he was able to establish himself as a leader, a dedicated player, ready to give everything for his country. Even after the arrival of Vahid Halilhodžić, Hakimi retained his starting place, proving that he was an essential element of the Atlas Lions system. His status as a manager has not weakened and, today, under the direction of Walid Regragui, he continues to shine like never before. With 82 appearances for the national team, Hakimi has scored 10 goals and provided 12 assists, an impressive record for a right back who began his career at a fairly young age with EN.

The Lions captain played a central role during the qualifications for CAN 2025 and the first matches of the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. In 14 matches, Hakimi scored 2 goals and delivered 3 assists, while wearing the armband of captain on five occasions, further proof of his leadership position in the team.

An example for generations to come

Last summer, Hakimi reached a new dimension. Under the Five Rings banner, Hakimi left his mark on the Moroccan Olympic selection, actively contributing to obtaining the bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. In 6 matches, he scored 2 goals and confirmed his status as a true pillar, both on the pitch and in the locker room. As a sign of fate, the first Moroccan goal in the tournament came from an assist from Hakimi. The last one, he scored on a free kick, closing the festival 6-0 against Egypt. Beyond the numbers, Achraf Hakimi has become a model for young Moroccan players. His work ethic, resilience and commitment to the field perfectly illustrate the values ​​he defends. Whether under the colors of PSG or the national team, he continues to push his limits, seeking to write a new page in the history of Moroccan and African football.

At the dawn of the CAF Awards, which take place in a few hours, Achraf Hakimi has great ambitions, which many consider legitimate. A consecration would not only allow him to follow in the footsteps of legends such as Faras, Timoumi, Ezaki and other Hadji, but also to strengthen Morocco’s position among the most influential nations in African football, while waiting for another trophy. That of the CAN.

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