Moroccan international star Achraf Hakimi has declared that winning the FIFA World Cup with Morocco would be more meaningful than any club success, even if it includes a historic treble with Paris Saint-Germain this season.
In an interview published Thursday by Footballeur Fits, the 26-year-old right-back said: “It would be amazing to win everything with Paris. But with Morocco, the feeling is different — the World Cup doesn’t happen every year, so I’d rather win something with Morocco, like the World Cup.”
Hakimi emphasized that his ultimate ambition before retirement is to lift a major trophy with the Moroccan national team: “Winning something with Morocco, whether it’s the Africa Cup of Nations or the World Cup, is what I dream of.”
Having made his debut for the Atlas Lions at just 17 in 2016, Hakimi was a key figure in Morocco’s historic run to the semifinals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar — the best performance by an African nation in tournament history. Yet, the Madrid-born defender, whose parents are Moroccan, remains hungry for more than just past accolades.
Since joining PSG from Inter Milan in 2021, Hakimi has become an integral part of the squad. The Qatari-owned club is currently on track to retain the Ligue 1 title, while also preparing for the Coupe de France final against Reims and a UEFA Champions League quarterfinal clash with Aston Villa.
Hakimi also revealed that his closest friends in football include Moroccan goalkeeper Munir Mohamedi and French superstar Kylian Mbappé. The latter, now with Real Madrid, was Hakimi’s teammate at PSG and one of the most challenging forwards he’s faced — alongside Brazil’s Vinícius Jr. and Portugal’s Rafael Leão.
The Moroccan full-back, who cites Brazilian legend Marcelo as his role model, continues to be a pillar for both club and country, aiming to combine personal excellence with national pride.
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