Achraf Hakimi’s morale is a concern

Achraf Hakimi has not yet recovered from the early elimination of the Atlas Lions in the round of 16 of the CAN Côte d’Ivoire 2023 against South Africa (0-2). "Achraf Hakimi, in the lead, took this setback very badly. The Parisian returned to Paris with his morale affected by this disillusionment, especially since the 25-year-old right-back missed a penalty in the 85th minute of the match when the score was still only 1-0 for the South Africans," explains L’Équipe. Apart from the match against Brest in the Coupe de France, where the right-back provided an assist, he is no longer delivering good performances. Since he rejoined his Parisian teammates after the failed CAN, Hakimi "has not particularly stood out," in the matches against Real Sociedad in the Champions League round of 16 or against Lille and Nantes in Ligue 1, notes the French newspaper.

Achraf Hakimi is no longer as brilliant as in the past. Since the arrival of Spanish coach Luis Enrique, the Atlas Lion has felt more confident. With Ousmane Dembélé on the right side, he was decisive during the first half of the championship. "He was often at the origin of his team’s dangerous situations and regularly decisive since, in all competitions before the CAN, he had delivered four assists and scored four goals," recalls the publication.

Hakimi’s morale could also be justified by the possible departure of his teammate and best friend, Kylian Mbappé, to join Real Madrid. "In recent days, rumors, without being able to be confirmed with his entourage, attributed to him desires to leave this summer," which explains his "decline," believes the author of the article.