Hakimi on the Inter Milan match: “I will do everything to win against them”
Moroccan star Achraf Hakimi is preparing for one of the most significant moments in his football career as he competes with Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League final against his former team, Inter Milan, in Munich, Germany. Hakimi, born in Madrid in 1998, views this match as a unique occasion that represents more than just a football game.
Hakimi joined Paris Saint-Germain in 2021 from Inter Milan for €68 million, following a dazzling season in Italy where he scored 7 goals and provided 11 assists in 45 matches under Antonio Conte, and won the Serie A title.
Hakimi spoke about that experience in an interview with the Spanish newspaper “Marca”: “I will never forget wearing the Inter jersey and winning the league with them; Inter will always be in my heart, but now I am a Paris player and I will do everything to win against them.” He added about the upcoming final: “This is my first major European final with Paris, against my former team… it is a very important moment in my career.”
Hakimi previously won the Champions League with Real Madrid in the 2017-2018 season but only participated in two matches and was still at the beginning of his career. He recalls that time, saying: “I was very young and watched the experienced players to learn from them how to handle such moments; now I am more mature and experience things calmly.”
Today, Hakimi plays a crucial role in coach Luis Enrique’s plans and has been instrumental in leading the Parisian team to the final, having scored the qualifying goal in the second leg of the semi-finals against Arsenal, and he also scored in the quarter-finals against Aston Villa. He was named the “Man of the Match” in the Arsenal match, and scored in the French Cup final against Reims, bringing his tally this season to 8 goals and 14 assists in 47 matches.
Hakimi’s success extends beyond goals and assists, as he also boasts impressive statistics at the European level: he is the player with the most touches in the Champions League this season (1,510 times), third in progressive passes (106 passes), eighth in shots (34), and third in defensive interceptions (22), along with significant contributions to both defense and attack.
Hakimi acknowledges the impact of his Spanish coach, stating: “Luis Enrique has helped me reach a level I never imagined; he has greatly developed my style of play.”
Hakimi is on the verge of writing a new chapter in his career, balancing nostalgia for Inter with the dream of winning his first major European trophy with Paris Saint-Germain. This blend of memories and ambition makes the Munich final a unique opportunity for a Moroccan player who began his journey in Madrid, shone in Milan, and now seeks glory in Paris.
