“I followed my heart” – Hakimi explains decision to play for Morocco instead of Spain

Achraf Hakimi has opened up about his decision to represent Morocco instead of Spain, revealing that personal comfort and identity played a decisive role in his choice.

Speaking on The Bridge podcast alongside Kylian Mbappé and Aurélien Tchouaméni, the Paris Saint-Germain defender offered a candid reflection on a decision that continues to spark debate among fans.

Hakimi disclosed that Spain made several attempts to bring him into their national setup during his early years at Real Madrid. Despite being given the freedom by his club to make his own choice, the experience did not resonate with him on a personal level.

“Spain called me several times. I was at Real Madrid. The club told me to do what I felt was right. I went, I tried it, and I didn’t feel comfortable with Spain,” Hakimi said.

He emphasised that his final decision was shaped not only by football considerations but also by family values and a strong connection to his roots.

“I told myself that the most comfortable choice for my career and for my parents was to choose Morocco.”

Hakimi further revealed that he had not yet broken into Madrid’s first team when he made the call, underlining that his decision was driven more by personal conviction than career calculation.

“Like Mbappé said, it’s a decision you have to feel. You make it because you know where you’ll feel comfortable. It’s something personal.”

Mbappé also weighed in on the broader issue of dual-national players choosing between countries, stressing that such decisions should be guided by identity rather than purely sporting ambitions.

“Players should choose early. I was born in France, and I am French. This is not like a club where it’s about a sporting project,” Mbappé said.