Villarreal (Spain) (AFP) – Very offensive full-back, Achraf Hakimi has asserted himself, from season to season, as one of the most important players in the Paris SG playing system without being apparently affected by the holding of his trial for rape.

Published on: 02/11/2026 - 12:27

Following his three goals and two assists on Friday at Le Havre (5-1), last in Ligue 1, a question arose among observers: has such a solid defender ever been so efficient in the opposing area?

Hakimi, who had not scored for the club since February, revolutionized his position. "He's more of an attacker, he's even sometimes in front of our attackers. He has this ability to make calls and deliver decisive passes. He's clearly an attacker when we have the ball. And when we don't have it, everyone is a defender. He's the best right back in the world," replied his coach Luis Enrique.

Highly appreciated by his partners, the vice-captain of PSG scored the first hat-trick of his career, an armband on his arm which he should keep on Tuesday at Villarreal in the Champions League, in the absence of captain Marquinhos, injured.

Last season, the man who finished 13th in the 2026 Ballon d'Or - after his sixth place in 2025 - scored three goals and provided nine assists in all competitions, a little below the 11 goals and 16 assists from 2024-2025.

Exceptional physical condition

Thanks to rare athletic strength, the almost 28-year-old Moroccan is capable of multiplying high-intensity races, which allows him to often project himself forward. But also in the heart of the game to unbalance the opposing block.

With the absence of injured attackers (Ousmane Dembélé and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia) and Nuno Mendes, his sidekick with the same strengths on the left flank, the Parisian N.2 will be forced to rezone and attack again.

“I like it, I was (attacker, Editor’s note) when I was younger. I help with goals and assists but I don’t forget that I have to defend,” he commented on Friday, while saying he was “100%”.

His serious right ankle sprain last year? “It’s in the past,” he said, “I’m having a good start to the season to help the team, I’ve been like that for a long time.”

This summer, in the middle of the World Cup, the captain of Morocco (103 caps, 13 goals) had already said: "I'm going through a very good period, both personally and professionally (...). I feel very good, I'm surrounded by good people who help me to concentrate on the essentials, and the truth is that this is one of the most important moments of my career."

“Presumption of innocence”

But away from the field, he faces legal pressure.

In September, the Court of Cassation confirmed that he would have to appear for the rape of a woman in 2023 before a departmental criminal court, facts which he contests. The date of the trial is not known.

“I know that this accusation is false, I am at peace. I leave this in the hands of my lawyers and the courts,” he declared in April during his first speech since the decision of an investigating judge to send him to trial. He appealed this decision, which was confirmed by the Versailles Court of Appeal and then by the Court of Cassation.

Since the start of this affair in February 2023, PSG has always supported its player under contract until 2029, maintained vice-captain and highlighted in advertising campaigns and on social networks.

“The club ensures that its player has a calm, respectful working environment that complies with the fundamental principles of law,” PSG said in September, invoking the “presumption of innocence.”

For the lawyer of the alleged victim, Me Rachel-Flore Pardo, "the fight against sexual violence has not yet made headway in the world of men's football".

© 2026 AFP

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