French daily lauds 'exceptional athlete' Hakimi

Moroccan international and Paris Saint-Germain right back Achraf Hakimi is an “exceptional athlete,” French daily Le Parisien wrote on Wednesday, praising the Atlas Lions captain for his speed, endurance and power, as well as his overall impressive physical attributes.

With 57 matches played this season, which is his fourth in a PSG shirt, the 26-year-old maverick has maintained remarkable physical freshness, the article notes. This season has reinforced much of what is already known about Hakimi: a consistent threat in the attacking third, explosive acceleration down the flank, and some defensive flaws that still leave room for improvement.

As he approaches the end of what is shaping up to be his most accomplished campaign in Paris, with seven goals and 14 assists, the best statistical return of his career, it is perhaps his enduring physical level over a grueling season that stands out most, the piece observes.

Since turning professional, Hakimi has leaned heavily on his athletic strengths, which have become even more striking this season. The PSG No. 2 has managed to preserve his physical edge and maintain a high work rate deep into the final stretch.

The paper also recalls that Hakimi’s marathon season began back on July 16, 2024, when he started Olympic preparations with Morocco’s U-23 side, the Atlas Cubs, who would go on to win bronze in Paris. That campaign could stretch to July 13 if PSG reaches the FIFA Club World Cup final.

Despite the punishing schedule, the former Inter Milan standout has consistently delivered high-effort performances with unwavering determination. From a young age, Hakimi’s speed was evident, particularly in school sprints. He later turned to track and field, which helped hone the explosiveness and endurance that remain key facets of his game.

Hakimi ranks as the second most-used player by PSG manager Luis Enrique this season, featuring in 46 matches and logging 3,895 minutes—second only to Willian Pacho. Le Parisien notes his ability to combine a massive running workload (averaging over 20 sprints per Ligue 1 match) with top-end speed sustained over long distances and at various points throughout games.

In the UEFA Champions League, Hakimi was clocked at 36.9 km/h, tying with Erling Haaland as the competition’s fastest player. He also covered the fourth-highest distance in the tournament, racking up 177.3 kilometers across 16 matches.

While his relentless forward runs can sometimes expose his defensive line, the piece points out that his attacking instincts remain a hallmark of his style.

“A status to be tested May 31 against Inter Milan’s Denzel Dumfries, another world-class right back,” the paper concludes.