5 November 2025
The Champions League night at the Parc des Princes turned into a nightmare for Moroccan and Paris Saint-Germain fans after Moroccan star Achraf Hakimi suffered a serious injury.
This came after a harsh tackle from Bayern Munich's Luis Diaz, forcing Hakimi to leave the field in tears on a stretcher amidst complete silence in the stands. Moroccan sources reported that Fouzi Lekjaa, president of the Moroccan Football Federation, and Walid Regragui, coach of the Atlas Lions, immediately contacted the player and the medical staff to check on his condition.
Regragui, who is currently in Doha, contacted Hakimi directly, while Lekjaa monitored his situation through the player's entourage and the medical team.
The match coincided with Hakimi's 27th birthday. He entered the game with high ambitions, which he had previously spoken about, most notably "winning the Africa Cup of Nations, claiming the African Ballon d'Or, and leading Paris Saint-Germain to retain the Champions League title." However, the dream turned into a "painful nightmare" after the violent tackle.
Hakimi was taken to a Paris clinic, where it was determined that the injury was a severe sprain of his right ankle, not a fracture, meaning surgery is not currently required.
The player wore a special brace and began a physiotherapy program, with initial estimates suggesting a recovery period of 3 to 8 weeks.
Hakimi's absence from upcoming matches for both Paris Saint-Germain and the Moroccan national team is certain, but he may still be fit for the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, perhaps returning gradually starting with the third round of the group stage.
Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany wished Hakimi a speedy recovery, emphasizing that Diaz did not intend to injure him. Luis Enrique confirmed that final tests will determine the length of his absence.
Fans in Paris Saint-Germain and Morocco expressed their strong support for the player, who is considered a key pillar and a symbol of a golden generation of Moroccan football.
