Achraf Hakimi has confessed that his departure from Real Madrid still weighs heavily on him, following Paris Saint-Germain’s emphatic 4-0 victory over his former club in the semi-finals of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
The Moroccan international, who has been instrumental in PSG’s dominant run this season, played a key role once again as the Parisian side dismantled Real Madrid—adding them to a growing list of high-profile victims that includes Inter Milan and Inter Miami.
Hakimi, omnipresent on the right flank, capped his performance with an assist against his former employers.
Speaking to DAZN after the match, the Atlas Lions defender reflected on his time at Madrid and the reasons behind his exit, stating he never had full control over the decision.
“It wasn’t my choice,” Hakimi said. “They just let me do what I enjoy—play football and have fun. Here, I have a coach who trusts me and gives me the freedom to play in midfield at times as well as in defence. The truth is, I’m very happy and I’m enjoying myself with this team.”
Though his current form suggests a player at the peak of his confidence, the 25-year-old admitted that the abrupt end to his journey with Real Madrid remains a difficult chapter.
His comments came in the aftermath of PSG’s resounding win, which saw the French champions book a place in the Club World Cup final.
Hakimi’s career began in Madrid, where he rose through the youth ranks before making his professional debut with the reserve side, Castilla, during the 2016–17 season.
The following year, he was promoted to the senior squad, but his opportunities were limited. Over two seasons, he made just 17 appearances for the first team before being loaned to Borussia Dortmund from 2018 to 2020.
At Dortmund, Hakimi flourished, establishing himself as one of Europe’s most dynamic full-backs. His form there earned him a move to Inter Milan, where he continued to impress during the 2020–21 season.
A year later, PSG secured his signature, and since then, he has grown into a key figure in their line-up, known for his pace, creativity, and relentless energy.
Despite the success he has found in Paris, Hakimi’s remarks make clear that his departure from Madrid—his boyhood club—still carries emotional weight.
While he is now thriving in a team that has allowed him freedom and consistency, the memory of how his time in the Spanish capital ended lingers.
As PSG prepare for the Club World Cup final, Hakimi remains a central figure in their campaign for silverware. Yet, even amid triumph, his reflections serve as a reminder of the personal sacrifices and complex emotions that can lie behind the professional journey of a top-level footballer.
