Hakimi’s brutal setback at Parc des Princes: PSG’s Champions League hopes shaken by a severe ankle injury
5 November 2025
Injury blow and match details
Paris Saint-Germain’s Moroccan star Achraf Hakimi spoke for the first time after the brutal ankle injury he sustained against Bayern Munich in Tuesday’s Champions League group stage, matchday four. Hakimi suffered a severe ankle injury after a heavy challenge from Luis Diaz in stoppage time of the first half, prompting a VAR review and Diaz’s red card after initially receiving a yellow.
Hakimi could not continue, leaving the field crying as the Parc des Princes crowd clapped, a poignant moment especially since he marked his 27th birthday that day.
Hours later, Hakimi posted on his official Instagram account that falling is part of the journey and that the comeback makes the difference, thanking everyone for their messages and support.
The remarks underscored a fighting spirit and confidence in a swift return, even as PSG and Morocco brace for what could be a long spell.
PSG issued a formal statement detailing the medical status of four players injured in the same match: Hakimi, Ousmane Dembélé, Nuno Mendes, and Désiré Doué.
The club said the quartet will be out for weeks and will miss national team duty during the November international window.
The statement specified that Hakimi has a severe left ankle sprain, keeping him sidelined for several weeks and to be reevaluated after the international break.
It added that Dembélé, who had recently won Ballon d’Or for the world’s best player according to the report, felt muscular pains in his leg after 25 minutes and was replaced by Kang-In Lee, who had just returned from a lengthy layoff. Mendes is in rehab while Doué undergoes intensive treatment for a thigh muscle injury.
An AFP image accompanied the report, and the match report noted that Hakimi’s teammates and the medical staff tended to him on the ground as Diaz’s goal spree continued for Bayern, who won 2-1 with Diaz’s goals in the 4th and 32nd minutes and a late Paris reply from Joao Neves in the 72nd minute.
The injury raises questions about Hakimi’s possible absence from the Africa Cup of Nations 2025, set to take place in Morocco from late December to mid-January 2026, a tournament fans hope he will join. Lequipe suggested the absence could be three to five weeks, with further tests planned after the international break. Hakimi left the pitch on crutches wearing a protective boot.
Vincent Kompany, Bayern’s coach, expressed hope that Hakimi’s injury is not serious and that he will return soon to shine for PSG and Morocco. Luis Diaz also issued an apology on social media, saying he did not intend to injure Hakimi. Hakimi has been a key figure for PSG since joining in 2021 and for Morocco, contributing to major trophies and the club’s recent success.
Since arriving from Inter Milan for 60 million euros, Hakimi has made 189 appearances for PSG, scoring 27 goals and providing 38 assists, with 28 yellow cards and 3 red cards. His contract was recently extended to 2029, underscoring his importance to the project. Fans continue to hope for a rapid recovery so he can lead PSG and Morocco in upcoming campaigns.
Punchline edition: If injuries were transfers, Hakimi would be the most expensive loan ever—an all-access pass to the physio’s clinic.
Punchline 2: When Hakimi returns, expect a standing ovation and a standing-knee-raise—not for a goal, but for the comeback.
