Possibly the best right-back Morocco has ever produced, Achraf Hakimi has made a name for himself as one of the greatest players in Moroccan history.
He has been the face of the Atlas Lions since making his senior debut as a teenager in 2016. He combines elite attacking skills with leadership and reliability. Hakimi, who was born in Madrid to Moroccan parents, was qualified to play for both Morocco and Spain, but he opted to represent his family’s home nation.
Raised on the outskirts of the Spanish capital and attending Real Madrid’s esteemed academy for nearly ten years, Hakimi’s exceptional club career is the reason for his undeniable leadership position.
After a fruitful loan to Borussia Dortmund, Hakimi was permanently transferred to Inter Milan, where he was instrumental in their first Serie A championship victory in eleven years.
That was all it took to lure Paris Saint-Germain, where he has since won five French titles in a row. Before making his senior debut in October 2016 at the age of just 17, he advanced through Morocco’s youth teams.
He soon became a regular starter due to his speed, technical proficiency, and attacking instincts. The 27-year-old, an adventurous full-back with a striking turn of pace, is their captain and second-most-capped player.
He has scored 28 goals and provided 44 assists over the course of five seasons for Paris Saint-Germain, the European champions, and he plays an equally significant offensive role for his nation.
Hakimi has continuously been one of the team’s best players, contributing goals, assists, and leadership from right-back. He has represented the Atlas Lions in three FIFA World Cups.
Even though Morocco was eliminated in a challenging group that included Portugal and Spain at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, he started all three group-stage games at the age of just 19. His performances established him as one of the most talented young full-backs in football.
Hakimi became a global star after the 2022 World Cup. As one of Morocco’s leaders and vice captain, he assisted in leading the Atlas Lions to the semi-finals, where they became the first Arab and African country to ever make it to the FIFA World Cup final four.
When Hakimi coolly scored the game-winning penalty in the shootout against Spain in the Round of 16 and then celebrated with his mother in the stands, it was the pivotal moment of Morocco’s campaign.
As Morocco’s captain going into the 2026 World Cup, Hakimi was instrumental once more. He led Morocco on another outstanding run to the quarterfinals, contributing goals and assists while playing almost like a winger from right-back.
Hakimi took over as captain of Morocco after veterans like Romain Saïss gradually left. He sets the bar for a gifted generation that includes players like Ismael Saibari, Brahim Diaz, and Bilal El Khannouss by leading with both his performances and his experience.
Even though he is only in his twenties, Achraf Hakimi has already cemented his status as one of Morocco’s greatest football players ever. During the most prosperous time in Moroccan football history, Hakimi, one of the country’s most-capped players, was a key player.
Morocco’s rise on the international scene, exemplified by their historic run to the 2022 World Cup semi-finals—the first by an African nation—has been largely attributed to his leadership, consistency, and outstanding right-back performances.
As captain and one of the team’s most important players, Hakimi continues to represent Morocco’s new footballing identity and carry the hopes of a generation.
