PROFILE | PSG’s Achraf Hakimi cements his place as world’s best right-back | OneFootball

Achraf Hakimi is the definition of a modern full-back, whose value is not necessarily measured by his defensive solidity but by his attacking output. In the latter category, Hakimi was almost in a league of his own in 2025. 

No defender in Europe’s top five leagues made more goal contributions than Hakimi (30) last year, and only Inter Milan’s Denzel Dumfries (14) scored more goals than the PSG defender (13). The Morocco international also ranked only behind Liverpool’s Virgil Van Dijk in terms of successful passes by defenders, whilst no defender had more touches in the opposition box than Hakimi; in terms of PSG players, only Désiré Doué, Ousmane Dembélé, Goncalo Ramos, and Bradley Barcola registered more goal contributions in all competitions than the Morocco international last season.

He also ranked highest in Europe’s top five leagues in terms of shots on target and in terms of assists. The numbers are quite staggering for a “defender”, they are the envy of many attackers! You’ll often find him dancing around his man and getting to the byline, or steaming in at the back post to tuck home. When he is in those positions, he has the sang-froid of even the most composed forwards to apply the finishing touch.

Ballon d’Or disappointment but awarded Africa Player of the Year

At sixth, he was the highest-ranking defender in this year’s Ballon d’Or, even if he himself was reportedly frustrated at not finishing higher. He likely suffered from Paris Saint-Germain’s lobbying for Dembélé, who would go on to win the trophy, whilst another PSG teammate, Vitinha, also earned plaudits for his role in their Champions League triumph. The Portugal international finished third.

Hakimi did, however, win the Africa Player of the Year award for the first time in his career. That was not merely recognition for his attacking efforts but also for his improvements going the other way. The former Inter Milan and Real Madrid defender has often been criticised for his defensive work, his lapses in concentration, his mispositioning, and his lack of ability to track runners, but in 2025, there were certainly improvements, despite this being the most prolific season in the defender’s career simultaneously. 

The UCL win over Barcelona earlier this season perhaps best summarises Hakimi’s year as a whole, as he made a crucial goal-line clearance before then setting up Ramos for his last-gasp winner. He was fighting on all fronts, and no other PSG player had more touches of the ball that night. The threat is diversified at PSG and Nasser Al Khelaifi regularly likes to emphasise that “the star is the collective”, but that collective is made up of individuals and Hakimi confirmed that he is one of the most important of this collection of individuals. 

Asked whether Hakimi was currently the best right-back in the world earlier this season, Luis Enrique said that it “was easy to say, obvious”, before reminding that he had also previously managed Dani Alves, also adept in the opposition’s final third.

Hakimi included in FIFpro World XI

His importance was underlined by PSG’s reluctance to dip into the market for an understudy. It is a difficult job to sell when you know you are going to play so little. Nordi Mukiele did it but his prospects were naturally very limited and so he left. Rather than recruiting an understudy, his absence is compensated by dropping a midfielder, more often than not Warren Zaire-Emery, into his position. 

But whilst there is a certain logic to not signing a Hakimi understudy, due to the inability to convince a player of sufficient quality to undertake the role, there is a downside. Last season, he played 55 games, 53 of which came as starts. It is not just that he plays a lot but also that he runs a lot; he is relentless up and down his right flank.

There is a question of burnout, a question that is even more pertinent given how quickly he has been rushed back to compete in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), hosted in his native Morocco. The right-back, included in the FIFpro World XI of 2025, suffered an ankle sprain against Bayern Munich at the start of November, leaving him in a race against time to participate in the competition. Whilst not involved in the Atlas Lions’ first game, he was involved by the end of the group stage, featuring against Zambia.

A rapid return

It is quite miraculous how quickly he has made the return, and he is very thankful to PSG for that, but there must be more long-term concerns because of the short timeframe and the intensity of the competition into which he has been dropped. But there was never a question of him not doing his all to be involved. Morocco are one of the favourites, Hakimi the star player and poster boy of a tournament held in his own country. 

It exemplifies Hakimi’s importance for Morocco. In his absence, PSG have coped but have lacked that drive down the right. He is a player that you can only really replace in the aggregate. Zaire-Emery has looked more comfortable in the role, but his is a different profile entirely. 

But while on the pitch, this has been Hakimi’s most accomplished season, there is a shadow that lingers over him off of it. Prosecutors in France are asking for Hakimi to face trial for allegedly raping a young woman back in 2023. Hakimi denies the accusation and his lawyer has described the prosecutors’ decision as “incomprehensible and senseless”. They added, “If these requisitions were to be followed, we would obviously pursue all avenues of appeal.”

In 2026, Hakimi will look to remain decisive on the pitch. His year could start with silverware and once again, the biggest prizes are up for grabs. PSG, a side he now vice-captains, are considered among the favourites for every competition in which they feature. The same won’t go for the Atlas Lions when they head to the World Cup, but if they are to go deep into the tournament, as they did in 2022, Hakimi will have to play a starring role.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle