Achraf Hakimi: PSG's plan to get the engine running again

After exiting a nearly flawless 2025 AFCON campaign in disappointment, Achraf Hakimi now needs to regain his composure to get back on track with PSG. The French capital club has a plan for the Moroccan full-back.

A week after losing the 2025 AFCON final to Senegal, Morocco's players are still nursing their wounds. Even Achraf Hakimi, surely, has endured some tough days recently. At PSG, there's a clear understanding that handling Hakimi's situation with care over the coming days will be crucial. He rejoined the Parisian squad last Wednesday but did not feature this weekend at Auxerre.

According to Le Parisien, PSG is mainly focused on shielding the player. It's a way to avoid piling on extra pressure or exposing him to potential mockery. For his part, Luis Enrique has spoken with the former Real Madrid man to gauge his mindset and see where he stands mentally after a tough end to the 2025 AFCON for the Atlas Lions.

The PSG coaching staff doesn't want to rush back a player who already did so much to participate in the AFCON. The outlet reports it's unlikely he'll start against Newcastle midweek in the Champions League. For Hakimi, the focus now is on calm and caution.

Joshua SOSSOU

Editorfr, en, ar

As a sports fan, and particularly a football fan, I've been putting my writing talent to good use for a number of years now to promote African talent and the continent's football in general. On Foot Africa, enjoy reading each of my lines.