On the eve of PSG’s Champions League semi-final second leg against Bayern Munich, Luis Enrique delivered a stunning tribute to Achraf Hakimi. Rare in its raw honesty, the Spanish coach’s words capture exactly what the Moroccan right-back means to Paris — and to world football.
« Hakimi, what do I need to explain… He’s a Moroccan machine. Having Achraf is like having 3 players at the same time. » These words from Luis Enrique say more than any statistic ever could. Since joining PSG in 2021, the Atlas Lion has turned the right flank into an unstoppable corridor, setting a standard that few full-backs in Europe can match. A reigning Champions League winner from last season, Hakimi arrives at this Bayern Munich second leg in the form of a player operating at the very peak of his powers. For Luis Enrique — a coach who rarely indulges in public praise — these words carry enormous weight.
The timing of this declaration makes it even more significant. With PSG chasing back-to-back Champions League titles and the 2026 World Cup on Moroccan soil just weeks away, Hakimi stands as the ultimate symbol of what African football can produce at the highest level. He is not just a right-back — he is a complete footballer, dominant defensively, devastating offensively, and irreplaceable in the system of one of the world’s best coaches. When Luis Enrique says having Achraf is like having three players, he is not exaggerating. He is simply stating the obvious.