Achraf Hakimi has played a pivotal role for PSG during this year's Champions League, where he has scored four goals and five assists.
AFP
Achraf Hakimi has made Morocco and the whole of Africa proud once again. Draped in a Moroccan flag after winning the Champions League against Inter Milan, the man has made history by becoming the first Moroccan to score a goal in a Champions League final.
He also became the first player ever to score against his former club in a UCL final. After scoring, he didn’t celebrate out of respect for his former club, where he played for a season under Italian Antonio Conte and won the Serie A title.
### Showing mercy to Inter Milan
It was the only moment any PSG player showed mercy against Inter Milan that evening as they destroyed the Italians 5-0, the biggest winning margin in Champions League history. Remember, this is his second Champions League win, having previously won during his time at Real Madrid. However, his contributions then were limited.
A right-back by trade, Hakimi finished his goal like an experienced poacher after making a trademark darting run into the box from deep, exactly what Luis Enrique’s system demands. This system asks everyone to attack and everyone to defend together. Hakimi is relentless, using his boundless energy to contribute at both ends.
### The freedom to roam in Enrique's system
The Moroccan is thriving under Enrique with the license to drive forward and has delivered exceptional results — 4 goals and 5 assists in this Champions League campaign. His contributions are more than any other defender in this year’s competition, and he ranks third among all players for assists in this UCL campaign.
Remember, he is a fullback, but that’s how fullbacks behave in Enrique’s system. Nuno Mendes, the left-back, has also delivered, though he sometimes stays back to maintain the back three’s shape while Hakimi roams freely. It’s all about players’ energy, technical ability, and “relationism” in Enrique’s system.
### Best right-back in the world
He has come through in the clutch, scoring in the quarter-final, semi-final, and final, plus the Coupe de France final. For PSG this season, he has contributed 9 goals and 14 assists across all competitions. No fullback in the top 7 European leagues has recorded more touches per 90 or passes per 90 this season as well.
He’s arguably the best right-back in the world right now. I’m confident Achraf Hakimi will win the African Player of the Year award ahead of Mohamed Salah. While Salah had a great season helping Liverpool win the Premier League, Hakimi won the treble with PSG and delivered on the biggest European nights. My vote goes to him. People should talk more about Hakimi’s impeccable impact; he deserves that respect.
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