"He will come back like an animal": What Regragui said about the return of the Moroccan national team star | OneFootball

Atlas Lions captain races against time to return from injury

"He will come back like an animal": What Regragui said about the return of the Moroccan national team star

Morocco head coach Walid Regragui has delivered powerful and humorous endorsement of his captain Achraf Hakimi describing the Paris Saint Germain full back as "an animal" in reference to his mentality & intensity during injury recovery.

In recent documentary aired on Canal+, viewers saw behind the scenes footage of Hakimi’s treatment and the demanding rehabilitation program he is following. Regragui, featured in the film, recalled the moment he realized the seriousness of the injury:

The Moroccan captain’s reaction sent shockwaves through the national setup, given how critical he is to Morocco’s AFCON 2025 ambitions.

"He’ll return exactly at the right time , like a beast"

Despite the initial fear, Regragui believes the timing of the injury could ultimately benefit his star defender:

Regragui even joked about Hakimi’s fiery competitiveness:

Racing the clock

Hakimi continues to follow intense rehabilitation program with full commitment and reports indicate major progress.

The current timeline projects his return for the second group stage match against Mali on 28 December.