Hakimi draws level with Ziyech as Enrique reaches Champions League landmark

Achraf Hakimi has matched Hakim Ziyech’s record for the most appearances by a Moroccan player in European club competitions, while Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique has reached a historic milestone in the Champions League.

Hakimi was named in Paris Saint-Germain’s starting line-up for Wednesday evening’s match away to Villarreal on the fourth round of the Champions League league phase.

The full Paris Saint-Germain team was: Matvey Safonov, Achraf Hakimi, Willian Pacho, Illia Zabarnyi, Lucas Hernandez, Joao Neves, Vitinha, Fabian Ruiz, Senny Mayulu, Desire Doue and Maghnes Akliouche.

The appearance took Hakimi’s total in European competitions to 83, level with Ziyech, according to French statistics outlet Stats Foot.

Hakimi can move clear at the top of the list if he plays against Roma on 25 November, when Paris Saint-Germain face the Italian side in the fifth round.

The 27-year-old has made 81 appearances in the Champions League and two in the UEFA Super Cup. His European matches have come during spells with Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain.

Ziyech, who currently plays for Brazilian club Botafogo, has appeared in 45 Champions League matches in the competition proper and 14 in qualifying. He has also played 17 Europa League matches, six Europa League qualifiers and one UEFA Super Cup fixture.

The Moroccan midfielder represented Chelsea, Ajax, Galatasaray, Twente and Heerenveen in those European competitions.

Enrique reaches 50-match mark

Luis Enrique also entered the Champions League record books on Wednesday. The Paris Saint-Germain manager became the first coach to take charge of 50 matches in the competition with a French club, Stats Foot reported.

The milestone comes as the Spaniard continues his work with the Parisian side, who remain involved in competition at the highest level of European football.

Vitinha’s uninterrupted run

Vitinha extended an exceptional sequence of his own with another appearance for Paris Saint-Germain.

The Portugal international has now played in all 58 of the club’s Champions League matches since joining in the summer of 2022. He has not missed a single European fixture for the club during that period.