Hakimi injury scare puts PSG and Morocco on alert ahead of Champions League second leg and World Cup
Hakimi played through the pain barrier in the 5-4 thriller against Bayern but went down clutching his leg late in the second half.
Achraf Hakimi played through injury during the first leg of the Champions League semifinal between Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich, finishing the match with lingering discomfort. Under normal circumstances, the right back likely would not have featured, but the magnitude of the occasion forced him onto the field. The situation has left both Morocco and PSG watching closely, especially with the World Cup just over six weeks away.
Hakimi injured before final whiste vs Bayern
Just days earlier, Hakimi was taken off at halftime in PSG’s match at Angers as a precaution. He had reported discomfort in his hamstring to the club’s medical staff, and Luis Enrique opted to protect him so he would be fit for the Bayern clash.
That decision ultimately led to him starting against Bayern, where he went down clutching the back of his leg shortly before the final whistle. With PSG having already used their three substitution windows, he attempted to stay on the field until the end.
A standout performance despite the risk
Aware of the risks involved, Hakimi still chose to push through the pain. The former Real Madrid youngster delivered a standout performance, capped by a powerful attacking run and assist for Ousmane Dembélé for PSG’s fifth goal, which briefly made it 5-2.
Luis Enrique on Hakimi injury
After the match, Luis Enrique was cautious when asked about Hakimi’s condition.
“I don’t know what’s going on,” he said. “We need to wait for the tests to determine the injury.”
Early indications suggest the issue is muscular and not considered serious, but his availability for the return leg at the Allianz Arena is now in doubt.
Rest likely ahead of league duty
Hakimi is expected to be rested this weekend when PSG face Lorient in Ligue 1. With the French title all but secured, a win could put PSG on the verge of officially clinching the championship as early as next week.
Luis Enrique is expected to rotate heavily, with the second leg against Bayern looming.
Morocco monitoring Hakimi situation closely before World Cup
The Moroccan national team is also closely tracking Hakimi’s condition. His fitness has already become a concern ahead of the World Cup, particularly given his injury history in major tournaments.
At the last Africa Cup of Nations, he arrived carrying fitness issues after, notably, picking up an injury in a match against Bayern Munich.
Now, with another World Cup approaching, both PSG and Morocco are hoping this latest setback proves to be minor rather than a warning sign.
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