Fit-again Morocco star Achraf Hakimi set to start crucial Champions League final against Arsenal

Moroccan international Achraf Hakimi is expected to play a central role for Paris Saint-Germain in the upcoming UEFA Champions League final against Arsenal.

In a highly competitive clash on Saturday, the French Ligue 1 giants will take on the newly crowned Premier League champions in Budapest.

Hakimi, who has been out of action for several weeks participated normally in the team’s latest training sessions without showing any signs of physical discomfort, easing concerns over his condition ahead of one of the biggest matches of the season.

The Moroccan full-back is now expected to start on the right flank for Luis Enrique’s side in a final widely anticipated to be decided by tactical discipline and fine margins.

PSG’s coaching staff has spent recent days focusing intensely on tactical preparations, particularly on maintaining balance between defensive organizations and attacking transitions. Within that system, Hakimi is viewed as one of the team’s most important tactical weapons.

The former Real Madrid and Inter Milan defender is expected to shoulder major responsibilities on both ends of the pitch due to his ability to combine defensive solidity with explosive attacking runs down the right wing.

His pace and positional awareness could prove especially important against Arsenal’s dynamic attackers, with Luis Enrique relying on Hakimi to provide defensive cover while also stretching the opposition through overlapping runs and quick transitions.

Paris Saint-Germain also value Hakimi’s experience in high-pressure European matches, considering him one of the leaders within the squad despite his relatively young age.

The Moroccan international has established himself as a cornerstone of Luis Enrique’s tactical system this season, particularly in matches requiring intensity, rapid transitions, and aggressive wing play.

Throughout the current Champions League campaign, Hakimi has delivered a series of consistent performances, contributing both defensively and offensively as PSG pursued their dream of European glory.

His ability to create numerical superiority in attack while maintaining defensive discipline has made him virtually indispensable in the starting lineup.

Sources close to the club suggest Luis Enrique intends to maintain a stable core in his starting eleven for the final, further strengthening Hakimi’s chances of featuring from the opening whistle.

For PSG, the match represents another opportunity to finally secure the first UEFA Champions League title in the club’s history after years of investment and disappointment on the European stage.

For Hakimi personally, the final carries additional significance as he seeks to add another major trophy to his growing career achievements while further cementing his reputation as one of the world’s top right-backs.

The Moroccan defender now heads into the final carrying not only the expectations of Paris Saint-Germain supporters but also the hopes of millions of Moroccan and African fans eager to see one of their brightest stars shine on European football’s grandest stage.