Hakimi's Ankles and Africa’s Next Big Hop: A Calm, Wary Look at a Star's Setback
5 November 2025
Hakimi's Injury Shocks Morocco Ahead of AFCON
A Spanish newspaper report published on Wednesday reveals a major setback for the Moroccan team as star Achraf Hakimi's absence is expected to extend for PSG and the national squad.
Hakimi sustained a serious knock in the clash with Bayern Munich yesterday, following a heavy tackle by Colombia's Luis Diaz, which led to Diaz's red card and left Hakimi needing on-pitch medical attention.
According to AS, Hakimi will be sidelined for six to eight weeks, a window that could sideline him through the early stages of the Africa Cup of Nations in late 2025.
This comes as Morocco prepares to host AFCON from December 21, 2025 to January 18, 2026.
AS notes that the ankle issue is not as dire as initially feared, and the Atlas Lions captain might miss only the group phase.
Hakimi underwent medical tests on Wednesday morning, showing a need to immobilize the joint for two weeks, with a total layoff of six to eight weeks.
Mixed Feelings and a Night to Forget
The Parc des Princes night turned into a nightmare for Moroccans as their captain left the pitch on a stretcher after a brutal challenge by Diaz, an episode that shocked fans across the country.
Koora sources say the injury triggered an unprecedented alert inside Moroccan football, prompting federation president Fouzi Lekjaa and coach Walid Regragui to check in on Hakimi personally.
Regragui, in Doha supporting the youth team for a World Cup event there, spoke directly to Hakimi, while Lekjaa contacted the player's circle to monitor his health.
Birthday blow: Hakimi marked his 27th birthday on the eve of the incident, making the night even harder for the PSG star and his supporters.
PSG had posted a birthday tribute highlighting his record as the Moroccan with the most appearances in the CL and his status as a top defender in Africa.
He had earlier spoken of three goals for the year ahead: win AFCON with Morocco, claim Africa's Ballon d'Or, and lead PSG to defend Europe’s crown, only to face an abrupt turn of events.
More than a player, Hakimi is seen as a symbol of a generation and a national project, a figure who has helped raise Moroccan football onto a bigger stage.
Regarded as Africa's most expensive defender, he has racked up over 480 club appearances, 60 goals, and 139 direct goal involvements, a rare stat line for a defender.
He became PSG's first scorer in a CL final against Inter last season and also struck in other knockout rounds, cementing his name in the club's history.
The room in Paris where Hakimi was assessed later revealed that surgery is unlikely; the initial verdict is a severe ankle sprain, not a fracture.
Hakimi later appeared wearing an ankle guard as he left the clinic, suggesting the forthcoming treatment will be rehab and immobilization rather than surgery, a bit of relief for Moroccan fans.
Moroccan federation and staff are balancing cautious optimism with realism; doctors estimate the absence could extend to two months, raising hopes he might return in time for AFCON, possibly by the third group match.
This echoes a similar setback Hakimi experienced before AFCON 2019 at Dortmund, from which he recovered in time to contribute to the national team’s efforts in the tournament.
Punchline 1: If injuries were a league, Hakimi would be top scorer in patience metrics—talk about a comeback that’s ankle-astic!
Punchline 2: In the grand scheme, this is a reminder: football fans wait months for pivotal plays, and the ankle just schedules the intermission—twice as dramatic, half as loud, and somehow twice as hopeful.
