PSG Star Achraf Hakimi Opens Up on Moroccan Roots and Global Success

It is after a morning training session alongside Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappé that the Atlas Lion agreed to answer the questions of the pan-African magazine. When asked what he thought of the enthusiasm, the interest that the public who accompanies him at every step he takes, Achraf Hakimi was grateful. For the one who has just been elected by FIFA as the best right-back in the world, there is nothing more rewarding for a footballer to be appreciated and supported by his own, especially when he evolves outside his country. "The Moroccan supporters bring me a lot of happiness and I want to show them my gratitude by giving the best of myself in every game," reports Jeune Afrique.

He thanked the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, which makes enormous sacrifices and major investments in order to offer the best possible conditions for the practice of football. For the right-back, Moroccan players must achieve good performances during the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon in January 2022, and the World Cup in Qatar, the same year. "The federation invests a lot and has thus provided us with a superb training center. We are very happy to evolve in these conditions and to benefit from such facilities," he stressed.

Regarding the Moroccan stadiums recently solicited to host the (African zone) qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Achraf Hakimi said he was happy to see that Morocco is a useful resource for these countries that have some difficulties in terms of infrastructure. "It is important that Morocco has large stadiums and modern infrastructure, and I like to know that players and teams appreciate playing there".

As for the level of the Moroccan national football team, he thinks that efforts are made every day and the recent matches are proof that Moroccan players have the thirst to win and that they appreciate at their fair value all the efforts made by the Moroccan authorities. "The level is good, and these are generally high-level matches. But it’s difficult to play in Africa, it’s not like in Europe: the climate, the quality of the pitches, the facilities, the hotels... You have to know how to adapt to all these circumstances if you want to achieve the goals of victory and qualification. It is this set of things that contributes to making you progress and grow as a player".

He took the opportunity to pay tribute to all those African players, like him, who play abroad and who have only one desire: to carry the colors of their country very high. "There are great African players who are doing great things for their country and in their clubs. Little by little, Africans are showing the whole world that they can compete with the best. This is the case with Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mané, Riyad Mahrez... I could give so many names that are potentially in the world top 10".

Like many dual nationals, Hakimi had the choice between Spain, where he was born, and Morocco, where he is from. But he preferred the Atlas Lions for reasons that, for him, seem obvious. "It’s a decision that was carefully considered and taken at the right time. I am of Muslim, Arab culture, and when you are immersed in a culture, you are more used to certain things and feel more comfortable in one place than another. The decision was made naturally, in line with what I had experienced in my family environment".

When he retires, Achraf Hakimi sees himself resting in Morocco. He confesses to having a special love for Morocco, its traditions, its culture. "I love Morocco. I deeply love my country and its culture. So why not? We’ll see what life has in store for me. My father comes from Oued Zem, and my mother is from Ksar El Kébir, but if I decide to live in Morocco, it would be in another city," he said.