Achraf Hakimi has made his pick in football’s most iconic debate, declaring Cristiano Ronaldo as the greatest player of all time—despite having shared a dressing room with Lionel Messi at Paris Saint-Germain.
In an interview with Foot Mercato, the Moroccan international and PSG right-back offered insight into his ambitions with both club and country, while also delivering a decisive answer in the long-running rivalry between two of the game’s most celebrated icons.
“The GOAT for me is Cristiano Ronaldo,” said Hakimi. “I had the chance to start my career at Real Madrid, and I was lucky to share the pitch with him.”
Hakimi’s answer raised eyebrows given his two-season spell as a teammate of Messi in Paris. While the Argentine forward brought his vast experience and unrivalled trophy collection to the French capital, it was Ronaldo who left the deeper impression on the Moroccan defender.
Now 26, Hakimi has established himself as one of PSG’s most consistent performers this season under manager Luis Enrique.
His pace, precision, and tactical maturity have made him a cornerstone of the squad, as the club pursues domestic and European success.
Alongside his club commitments, Hakimi’s focus remains firmly on international glory.
As a leader within Morocco’s national team, he is eyeing the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with a determined spirit.
“I want to achieve something great with Morocco. Winning the next AFCON is one of my biggest goals,” he said.
Morocco’s strong showing at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where they became the first African team to reach the semi-finals, further elevated Hakimi’s status on the global stage.
With the next continental tournament approaching, his leadership and experience will be vital to the Atlas Lions’ campaign.
But it was his stance on the Messi-Ronaldo debate that drew the most attention. Both players have shaped modern football through their brilliance, rewriting records and accumulating accolades at club and international level.
Hakimi, who began his professional journey at Real Madrid, clearly retains admiration for the Portuguese forward who inspired a generation.
Ronaldo’s influence on younger players, especially those who came through the Madrid academy, remains strong. His relentless work ethic, physicality, and goalscoring exploits have left a lasting legacy—and for Hakimi, a standard of excellence to aspire to.
Despite the admiration for Messi’s artistry and vision, Hakimi’s preference underscores how personal experiences and early career moments can shape such opinions.
Having trained alongside Ronaldo during formative years, the choice for him was straightforward.
As the GOAT debate continues to divide fans, players, and pundits, Hakimi’s perspective adds a fresh layer to the conversation.
With a career still on the rise, his opinion carries weight—not just because of who he has played with, but because of the level at which he now performs.
In both club and international colours, Hakimi continues to grow into one of the most complete full-backs in world football.
Whether delivering match-winning performances for PSG or inspiring his national team, the Moroccan star is steadily building a legacy of his own—just like the legends he admires.
