On 6 December 2022, Achraf Hakimi walked up to take the decisive penalty against Spain, the country where he was born. He chipped it softly down the middle. Morocco were through.
Hakimi was born in Getafe, near Madrid, in 1998 to Moroccan parents. His mother worked as a cleaner and his father as a street vendor. He joined Real Madrid‘s academy as a boy and made his first-team debut in 2017.
Choosing Morocco
Hakimi could have played for Spain. He chose Morocco, the country of his parents, and made his debut for the Atlas Lions in 2016. He has said he felt at home with Morocco.
Club career
After loans and moves to Borussia Dortmund and Inter Milan, where he won Serie A in 2021, Hakimi joined Paris Saint-Germain. He became one of the best right-backs in the world, known for his speed and attacking runs. In 2025 he won the Champions League with PSG, scoring in the 5-0 final win over his former club, Inter.
World Cup 2022
Morocco, coached by Walid Regragui, who had taken charge only about three months before the tournament, topped a group including Croatia and Belgium. In the round of 16 against Spain, the game ended 0-0 after extra time. In the shootout, goalkeeper Yassine Bounou saved Spanish penalties, and Hakimi scored the winner with a Panenka.
Morocco then beat Portugal 1-0 in the quarter-final, becoming the first African team, and the first Arab team, to reach a World Cup semi-final. They lost to France and finished fourth, after a third-place play-off defeat to Croatia.
Celebrations
After matches, Hakimi ran to hug and kiss his mother in the stands, images that went around the world. The team’s celebrations with their mothers became one of the most memorable stories of the tournament.
Controversy
In 2023, Hakimi faced a rape allegation in France, which he denies. The case has been the subject of legal proceedings.
Africa’s pride
Morocco’s run was celebrated across Africa and the Arab world. Hakimi was one of its faces.
Legacy
Hakimi’s choice to represent Morocco, and the success that followed, encouraged other players from the diaspora to consider playing for their parents’ countries.
He was born near Madrid and grew up in Real Madrid’s academy. His most famous kick sent Spain home.
