Achraf Hakimi will even get better after injury recovery – Morocco coach Walid Regragui

Morocco head coach Walid Regragui is confident Achraf Hakimi will come back stronger after his recent injury.

The Paris Saint-Germain right back was sidelined following an ankle injury sustained during the Champions League clash with Bayern Munich.

“When I saw his ankle, I asked Rachid Benmahmoud for his opinion. But when I saw Hakimi crying out of frustration, I knew it was serious,” Regragui told Canal Football Club.

He stressed that the tears reflected Hakimi’s competitive drive, not weakness.

“I know Hakimi well. When he returns, he’ll come back like a beast. Sometimes we clash on the pitch because of his passion, but that’s just his nature,” added the coach.

Regragui also recounted a lighter moment during a meeting with Hakimi at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Sale after the CAF Awards.

Hakimi had entered on a scooter, prompting the coach to joke, “Ballon d’Or! You look taller today.”

Hakimi quipped, “Maybe because of the scooter.” Regragui shot back, “Or maybe because you won the Ballon d’Or.”

The setback comes just days after Hakimi was named African Player of the Year 2025 in Rabat, capping off an outstanding season with both PSG and the Moroccan national team.