In an interview broadcast on the sidelines of Paris Saint-Germain’s victory over Rennes, 1-4, on Saturday for the 25th day of Ligue 1, 26-year-old right-back Achraf Hakimi spoke to beIN SPORTS (video highlights Rennes/PSG). He spoke of his status as the best full-back in the world, but also of the philosophy dictated by Luis Enrique, on teamwork and his new hybrid role. Finally, he praised 27-year-old winger Ousmane Dembélé.
#Ligue1McDonalds
Focus sur Achraf Hakimi, l’un des parisiens les performants cette saison !#SRFCPSG #EqualFootball pic.twitter.com/Wwahs6nTpS
— beIN SPORTS (@beinsports_FR) March 8, 2025
Hakimi “Marcelo was my benchmark player”.
Best right-back in the world ?
I’m delighted. It recognizes the work I do. It’s a very important moment for me and it gives me the strength to carry on.
Are there other right-backs of your level ?
Koundé, he and I are different and he’s also having a great season with Barcelona. Alexander Arnold is also doing well with Liverpool. And then there’s Walker.
Is there a player you’ve taken as a role model ?
Marcelo was my reference player. I like his characteristics, the fact that he defends well, and offensively, he was a different player. For me, he was a benchmark player in that position.
Hakimi “I’m a player who likes to open up my mentality and discover new aspects of soccer”.
At PSG, you don’t just play full-back, you play in every position? Where does that come from ?
It wasn’t like that before, but thanks to Luis Enrique, when he arrived at Paris Saint-Germain last year, he got me to work on new mechanisms, new movements. It’s good for the team and I’m not a simple player who stays in the same place, I’m a player who likes to open up my mentality and discover new aspects of soccer.
You reach more possibilities with these characteristics, you have more opportunities to play, it’s a special moment for me. Technically and physically, it’s in line with my characteristics as a footballer, and that makes me happy too.
Is your new collective spirit at PSG due to the departure of the stars? Does Luis Enrique have anything to do with it ?
Since the coach arrived, he’s sent out a clear message: the most important thing at the club is the collective, not the individual. When we play together and for each other, it’s stronger, and for the team playing against us, it’s more difficult.
That’s what we try to show every day. We’re trying to improve it between us, the connections, I think that’s the objective of this Paris Saint-Germain.
Hakimi “Yes, he’s a player capable of winning the Ballon d’Or”.
It’s incredible what Ousmane is going through, did you expect it ?
It’s natural, he’s a different player, he’s a player who has the ability to do different things. There’s a lot of talk about the goals and assists he makes, but he also does an incredible job defensively. He’s a leader for us too.
Is he perhaps on his way to the Ballon d’Or ?
Yes, he’s a player capable of winning the Ballon d’Or, he’s a different player. The stats speak for themselves, he’s got to keep going like this and he hasn’t reached his peak yet. I think he’ll get there.
Do you think he can go even higher ?
Yes, I think so, with every game he starts to grow. Before, he wasn’t scoring much, but now he’s beginning to understand that he needs to score more and play more decisive roles. That’s the most important thing. Now he’s doing that and finding the right solutions.
