Hakimi closes in on Eto’o’s historic Champions League assist record after PSG thriller

Morocco star Achraf Hakimi has moved within touching distance of one of African football’s most prestigious UEFA Champions League records, as he edges closer to matching the long-standing assist benchmark set by Samuel Eto’o.

Hakimi produced another decisive moment in PSG’s breathless 5-4 victory over Bayern Munich in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final at the Parc des Princes, registering an assist that took his competition tally to 19.

That latest contribution places Hakimi just one assist shy of Eto’o’s record of 20 Champions League assists by an African player, a milestone that has stood as a reference point for creativity and consistency at the highest level of European club football.

He is now level with Egypt’s Mohamed Salah on 19 assists, setting up a tight race between two of Africa’s most influential modern-day stars as the tournament reaches its decisive stages.

While widely recognised for his pace, defensive recovery, and attacking overlaps from right-back, Hakimi’s output in Europe’s elite competition has increasingly highlighted his creative edge.

His assist in the dramatic win over Bayern Munich was another example of his growing influence in PSG’s attacking structure, where he often operates as an advanced wide outlet, stretching defences and delivering precise final balls into dangerous areas.

The 5-4 scoreline itself reflected the chaotic intensity of the encounter, but Hakimi’s contribution once again proved decisive in a match defined by fine margins.

With PSG still competing in the Champions League, Hakimi is expected to have at least one more opportunity this season to equal—and potentially surpass—Eto’o’s long-standing record.

Beyond individual recognition, Hakimi’s rise on the assist charts reinforces his growing status among Africa’s most complete modern defenders. Reaching the summit would place him at the top of a list that includes some of the continent’s most decorated attackers.

With momentum on his side and PSG still in contention, the Moroccan full-back now stands on the brink of making African Champions League history.