Hakimi's Injury Casts a Shadow Over PSG's European Quest

Injury Update

A French sports report outlined the likely duration of Morocco international Achraf Hakimi's absence after a harsh tackle by Bayern Munich's Luis Diaz during the 2-1 loss at the Parc des Princes in the UEFA Champions League group stage on Tuesday night.

The injury hit Hakimi hard as he rolled to the ground with a painful left ankle, tears streaming as medical staff rushed in and the players looked on in concern.

In stoppage time before the break, Hakimi surged down the right flank, only to be caught by a robust intervention from Diaz, who earned a yellow card in the moment. The Moroccan international was visibly distraught and was eventually substituted in the dying seconds of the half for a teammate as the crowd held its breath.

PSG manager Louis Enrique had to reshuffle, bringing on a teammate for Hakimi in the final moments, and the change set the tone for a tense second half.

At the interval, Bayern led 2-0 thanks to Luis Diaz's strikes in the 4th and 32nd minutes, with PSG hitting back through João Neves in the 72nd. The French club pushed to level, but the comeback fell short as the referee signaled full time with Bayern clinging to the win.

The injury could sideline Hakimi for a lengthy spell and raises questions about his readiness for the Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled to be held in Morocco from December 21 to January 18, 2026. L’Equipe suggested the winger might miss 3 to 5 weeks pending medical tests on Wednesday.

Hakimi departed the Parc des Princes at 27, wearing protective gear on his injured left ankle and leaving on crutches as the night wore on. L’Equipe also noted that Dembele left the game early with a muscle-related issue in his leg, having been substituted for Kan Le En in the 25th minute.

Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany spoke in a post-match press conference, hoping Hakimi’s injury isn’t serious and drawing a comparison to Jamal Musiala’s issue in a recent World Club Cup clash against PSG. He added that a speedy return would benefit PSG and the Morocco national team alike.

Hakimi remains one of the standout performers for PSG since arriving from Inter Milan in 2021 for €60 million, and he recently extended his contract with the club through 2029. With PSG having collected several domestic and European trophies this year, Hakimi’s role has been pivotal in their ongoing push for silverware.

In an interview with PSG TV ahead of the Bayern match, Hakimi spoke of his dream to win the Ballon d’Or, acknowledging that the real prize is helping PSG win titles with the national team alongside his personal ambitions. He has been a key figure for the club under three managers, including Mauricio Pochettino, Christophe Galtier, and Luis Enrique, who took charge in 2023 and renewed his deal until 2027.

PSG in 2025-2026

PSG have secured seven league wins this season with a single league defeat to their rivals Marseille, a clash that coincided with the Ballon d’Or ceremony and was postponed by 24 hours due to weather. The champions have also drawn twice in league play.

PSG’s early league victories came over Nantes and Angers (1-0), followed by a 6-3 thrashing of Toulouse, a 2-0 win over Lens, and a 2-0 victory against Lorient, with Brest also on the ledger as a win and a later 3-3 draw with Strasbourg in front of their home crowd kept the title chase tight.

In Europe, PSG have played four Champions League games, winning all four before a setback against Bayern. They began their title defense by defeating Atalanta 4-1 at home, beating Barcelona 2-1 on Montjuïc, and thumping Bayer Leverkusen 7-2 in Germany, before the Bayern setback left a sour note on an otherwise sparkling campaign.

In short, Hakimi’s absence could be a significant obstacle in the short term, but PSG’s depth and the upbeat mood around the squad should help them weather the storm while they chase both domestic and European glory. And if you’re thinking this is a lot to handle, you’re not wrong—even the ball seems to be taking a lighter touch just to avoid getting in the way of a genius left foot.

Punchline time: If ankle injuries were a sport, Hakimi could have a PhD in dodging tackles—talk about footwork that makes defenders jealous. Punchline two: PSG’s calendar might be crowded, but with Hakimi on the mend, the only thing more crowded will be the referee’s notebook when this drama returns to the pitch. (Yes, I’m kidding—referees don’t carry extra napkins for all the spilled drama.)