Achraf Hakimi (Morocco, 1998) is another of the great protagonists of the duel of Pars tomorrow. It is measured at Real Madrid, against whom he already fell as an Inter player. But he does it without rancor even though he left the white club in his day in search of the international recognition that he has found in PSG and with the blind faith that in the Park of the Princes You will live a magical night, even if it costs a dislike for a Madrid that you carry in your heart.
Question: What feeling do you have left from the Africa Cup?
Answer: With a bittersweet feeling, with a bad feeling after the good work we had done, of how the games had gone and that we had the chance to do great things in this Cup. I was very excited to help the team and go far, we were in the same boat and the truth is that it was a shame to leave the way we left. Sad for the departure, but very happy with the work that the entire selection has done.
Q. Who did you think of the revelation? And a player who has surprised you?
R. I was surprised, because I was also going to an Africa Cup for the first time, Comoros, which caused a lot of talk when they went out of the group for the first time. They fought to the end with a goalkeeper player, with everything that happened because of the covid issue, and I think I’ll stay with them. I coincided with them at the hotel and the truth is that I only had to congratulate them for what they showed on the field. I told them that I am proud to have been able to see what they had done. And there are some players who are little known, like Sulemana, a very good left winger from Rennes who plays with Ghana; from my national team, like the centre-back Nayef Aguerd, who has competed a lot, and we also have a very good striker, Ryan Mmaee. Few people know them and we have other great players.
Q. Are you already with Real Madrid in mind?
R. They try not to be there when there are other games beforehand, knowing that the big goal is Madrid’s. It’s a nice game to play and as you know it’s a team that I have in my heart for everything it has given me, it has made me as a person and as a player, and it has made me learn. We are going to prepare very well for the game.
The quality of Messi or Neymar is unquestionable, but who has surprised me is Verratti
P. Note in Paris the pressure of a great?
R. Yes, I have played in different leagues with different clubs, all with the highest demands, but I have always liked that pressure. That’s what it’s all about, and then getting on with it. It is true that now we have great players and there are many expectations. I try to take it well, calm, and day by day.
P. Has PSG given you the stability you were looking for? The club bet heavily on you…
R. The truth is that I feel very comfortable, like at home. The people have received me very well, the club, the fans… Even before I came I could already feel the affection, the club committed to making great efforts for me. The coach too, we had quite a few conversations and he gave me his confidence. The players have also received me very well and tell me to always be calm and enjoy myself. That’s why I also feel good with them and I give my best.
P. Is Paris a city that fits you too?
R. Yes, the truth is that I liked it, also because of the language spoken in Morocco and I learn more and more. It is a country and a city that makes me improve and learn and enjoy the city with my family, especially its culture.
We must never give Madrid up for dead, we have to respect each other
P. Training with Messi, Neymer… does that make you improve?
R. Sure, they make you better and you help them. I am lucky enough to play with practically the best in every position and the truth is that every day you learn and improve.
Achraf highlights the one who impresses him the most at PSG: he is not one of the MNM
Q. Who has especially surprised you?
R. It’s normal to be surprised by players like Messi, Neymar or Mbapp, but the truth is that the one who has surprised me in particular, although I already knew him, is Marco Verratti. Seeing him in person, training with him, is knowing that even though he’s under pressure, he’s calm. Hold the ball, it is impossible to take the ball away from him. The quality of those above is evident, but seeing Marco in person is a pleasure.
We want to live a magical night in Paris, we want the Champions…
Q. Is it a mirror to look at if you want to write your story at PSG?
R. Yes, he’s been here for a lot of years and it’s a mirror where he can look at himself and see that it’s good here and you can live well, you can enjoy football and we’re at a good time to do so.
P. What does it mean that Mbapp tells you that he is the best full-back in the world?
R. When great players like Kylian praise you, it’s satisfying because you see that you’re doing things well. All these years of work and sacrifice that have made you get here are worth it. Kylian is also a mirror in which to look at oneself.
P. Do you have a lot of affinity with Kylian, do you hope not to lose him next year?
R. The truth is that I get along very well with him, we have gotten along very well from the first day. Age also matters because we have many things to see and do that we agree on. Let’s see what happens, I wish him the best in his career and in his life, and he will decide. Let’s enjoy it, we still have several months left together and then we’ll see what happens.
P. How has Achraf changed from PSG to the one who was at Real Madrid?
R. Quite a lot, I am a few years older, I am more mature, I have more experience. In Madrid he came from Castilla, to play with young people and without having experience at a high level professional level. Now, after having played in several clubs and in big teams, they have given me experience, maturity and responsibility.
Achraf tries to explain the reasons why Madrid did not bet on him
Q. Your goodbye was then due to that lack of maturity or was Real Madrid lacking in confidence?
R. A little of both. It is true that when you join Madrid for the first time you come from playing for Castilla and it is normal that the club does not bet so much because you are a young player. But then when I left for Dortmund I went on loan and had two great seasons and I had to come back and decide. And then Madrid, I think, was still not betting on me, although I could continue playing at a high level. And then when I left for Inter transferred there was also an option to buy Madrid and I didn’t execute it either, so I think Madrid didn’t want to bet as much on me as other clubs. And I’m happy because I think these clubs were not wrong to bet on me.
Q. Pochettino’s role has been important?
R. Quite a lot, before coming we were already in contact and he told me what he wanted from me and what I was going to do in the team. It gives me confidence and peace of mind, but above all freedom for the players to feel important, to play freely, which is what has made them reach this level. It is what I like about the coach, that he is very close and gives you that responsibility.
P. How was the reunion with Ramos? Do you think giving important things to PSG?
R. It was very nice, we had co-opted at Real Madrid and he treated me very well despite being young and coming from the academy. We have a very good friendship. The truth is that I was surprised that he left Real Madrid, but I am happy to have him with us. We are looking forward to him, I know he is going to arrive and he is going to make us grow a lot because he is a leader and an experienced player. He is going to be good for PSG.
P. What does PSG have to do to eliminate Real Madrid this time?
R. Minimize errors and then use our strengths, which are many with the great players we have. We are going to take advantage of the opportunities we have to pass.
Q. How is the atmosphere and the fans in Paris?
R. In France I feel very comfortable. There are many people from Africa here, many Arabs who have received me very well and with great affection. The fans at Parque de los Prncipes always support us, at key moments. In the League it shows but in the Champions League too. They support us very well and the Champions League night is going to be magical.
Q. What worries you the most about Real Madrid?
R. It is clear that they have great players, who have also been playing together for many years and who have immense quality. We have to be careful with all of their cons who are doing very well, but they also have to be attentive to us and we will try to control the game.
Q. Ligue 1 is getting closer, isn’t it valued enough?
R. There is a lot left but if we get it we have to enjoy it. I want to add more titles to my career and we want to go for the Champions League as well.
Q. To whom would you dedicate the first title?
R. Above all to my family, my son, all those who support me, my friends. To the people who are always there in bad times to support me.
Q. What advice has particularly helped you?
R. Since I was a child I have always been told to be humble, to be calm, that no matter what happens and whatever I have, I must always be the same, the boy from the neighborhood and I try to carry it that way. I have lived like everyone else and now I have been lucky that God has given me more things but I must continue the same because it is what has made me get here.
Q. Do you think PSG’s offense is better or at least more numerous than Madrid’s?
R. Madrid also have their army: Vini, Benzema, Modric, Casemiro, Kroos… Asensio is very good too. The center backs are also very good. They have a great team and we should never give Madrid up for dead, although here it seems that we have more names. They have a great team and we have to respect them for the club they are and they also respect us for who we are and because the tie is at 50 percent.
Q. Without forgetting Messi…
R. Of course, it gives you the experience in the big games. Very happy to have him because he is one of the best and having him on your team is an advantage because he can solve games for you.
