Fez, Morocco — Achraf Hakimi, the versatile defender and vice-captain of Paris Saint-Germain, don open up about his influence and role for the club under coach Luis Enrique as the team prepare for crucial matches to finish the season.
Hakimi, who also leads Morocco’s national team, said the importance of his position on and off the pitch no be small matter. ‘I dey try help every player for our team, especially di younger ones. Na important role wey I dey carry, and I dey try show example for pitch and outside. I believe say na wetin I fit do best,’ he talk.
This season don see Hakimi evolve as a player, and he describe am as one of his best so far. ‘I dey feel more confident, I don mature well. Di experience wey I don collect don help me a lot, but I still get room to improve. My individual goals dey help me better, but na di victories wey matter most for di team, both for di club and national team,’ he add.
Hakimi don play 44 matches dis season, netting 6 goals and providing 14 assists. Di PSG defender don already win di Trofeo de Campeones and crown champion of France. He dey prepare for di French Cup final on May 24 against Reims and di UEFA Champions League semi-final against Arsenal on Wednesday.
He speak with admiration for his coach, Spanish Luis Enrique, praising di entire coaching staff. ‘I don get many good coaches for my career, and I dey grateful to all of dem wey don help me become di player I be today. Luis Enrique don help me reach level wey I no even expect. Because of him, I don become more complete player, and he don give me di freedom wey I need,’ he say.
Additionally, Hakimi dey among di finalists for di Marc-Vivien Foé Prize 2025, wey dey honor di best African player for Ligue 1, and he dey eye di African Ballon d’Or. Dis recognition don show di impact wey he don make both for PSG and for di Moroccan national team.
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