Achraf Hakimi is among the rare footballers who have played in all four of Europe’s top five leagues. From Real Madrid to Borussia Dortmund, Inter Milan, and now Paris Saint-Germain, Hakimi has left his mark on four elite clubs across four different countries.
Rising through the ranks at Real Madrid Castilla, Hakimi made his professional debut for the senior Real Madrid team. Although he played only one season, he ended it with a UEFA Champions League medal to his name, a rare feat for a young defender.
Hakimi’s true breakthrough came during his loan spell at Borussia Dortmund. Over two seasons, he developed into a dynamic fullback and made an immediate impact, including a memorable hat-trick in his first Champions League match for Dortmund. However, with Dani Carvajal in his prime at Real Madrid, Hakimi couldn’t secure consistent game time. As a result, following his loan, he moved to Inter Milan in a permanent deal worth €40 million.
Though his stint at Inter lasted just one season, Hakimi etched his name into the club’s history books. He was a vital squad member who ended Juventus’s decade-long dominance by winning the Serie A title. That season, his first major league title, was arguably Hakimi’s true arrival on the big stage. Under Antonio Conte’s wing-back system, Hakimi scored 7 goals and provided 8 assists, directly contributing to Inter’s success.
Hakimi’s Inter chapter might have lasted longer, but the club’s financial crisis changed everything. After Conte’s departure and a significant offer from PSG, Inter had little choice but to sell him.
In the summer of 2021, Paris Saint-Germain had a “Galáctico-style” transfer window, bringing in Lionel Messi, Sergio Ramos, and Gianluigi Donnarumma. Among those marquee signings was Achraf Hakimi, who cost PSG €60 million plus €11 million in potential add-ons, a total of €71 million. While PSG is known for heavy spending, this investment reflected the high quality Hakimi brought to the table.
Due to Ligue 1’s lower visibility and PSG’s underwhelming Champions League performances in recent seasons, Hakimi often stayed under the radar despite his consistency. From his debut season, he has been reliable, contributing at least 10 goal involvements every year, a fair number for an attacking fullback.
Statistically, this current season stands as Hakimi’s joint-best, with 19 goal contributions — equaling his tally from the 2019–20 season. However, when considering his overall impact, this is undeniably his finest season yet.
Hakimi has stepped up in the biggest moments. He scored crucial goals in both the quarter-final and semi-final of this year’s Champions League. His goal against Aston Villa was decisive, sending PSG into the semi-final with a match-winning contribution.
Given his performances and consistency, Hakimi deserves to be mentioned among the best right-backs in the world this season. Once again, he finds himself in the Champions League final. But unlike his last appearance, where he was a bench warmer for Real Madrid, this time he returns as a key figure, no longer a “promising young fullback” but a fully realized star in his position.
PSG will be hoping that Hakimi’s winning luck from his previous UCL final appearance can help them finally lift their first-ever Champions League trophy.
