Mbappe reveals the funny truth behind his first meeting with Hakimi
2 April 2026
Mbappe’s account of the first meeting
French football star Kylian Mbappe revealed, on a podcast, a funny backstage moment with his former Paris Saint-Germain teammate Achraf Hakimi during the early days at the club. He noted that Hakimi barely spoke French when he joined PSG, which led to a few awkward but humorous exchanges that the squad still laughs about today.
Mbappe said Hakimi did not speak French at all in the initial days. He joked that he had never met a Moroccan born in Spain before meeting Hakimi, and he could hardly have imagined such a mix. “Listen, Hakimi is around my age; you two will mesh well,” Mbappe recalled being told, and he did his best to help him settle in. He even offered help with a lighthearted line: “If you need anything, I’m here.” The moment’s look—silent and puzzled—drew laughter from everyone around.
Recounting their early interactions
Mbappe recounted the moment he tried to engage Hakimi and the Moroccan’s characteristic silence at the time. The host mimicked Hakimi’s expression, and when asked if he understood anything, Hakimi smiled and replied, “No, nothing at all.” Mbappe noted that the two began to connect gradually as they spent more time together, with conversations improving little by little as their bond grew.
The interview touched on how players from different linguistic backgrounds adapt to PSG’s environment and how teammates help each other overcome language barriers in the dressing room. The anecdote underscored the human side of elite football, where language can be a hurdle but camaraderie becomes the real language of success.
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Punchline 1: If language barriers were a striker, Hakimi would still miss the goal—so Mbappe brought him a ball instead. Punchline 2: In Paris, even a silent look can be louder than a shout; that’s how you learn to speak football fluently.
