Achraf Hakimi, the 27-year-old right wing-back for Paris Saint-Germain, spoke to Ligue1+ following PSG’s 5-1 victory over Le Havre this Friday at the Stade Océane, as part of Matchday 9 of the 2026-2027 Ligue 1 season.
Hakimi: “I hope all my teammates will be able to sign it.”
Where is the match ball?
It’s tucked away safely, and I hope all my teammates will be able to sign it.
The first hat-trick of your career—isn’t that incredible?
Yes, it’s incredible—especially for a full-back.
Hakimi: “The coach really helped me find space.”
What is your actual position?
Technically, I’m a full-back, but the coach has really helped me find space and provided cover whenever I push forward into the attack. I’m very happy; I feel comfortable, and thanks to the confidence the coach has placed in me, I feel great out on the pitch.
Do you make these forward runs naturally because you know you’ll have cover behind you?
Yes, playing alongside these teammates makes it much easier. I’m very happy. On the pitch, I feel at ease—I’m able to get into attacking positions in front of goal, I really enjoy it, and I’m glad I can keep helping my team.
Hakimi: “The coach gives me this freedom, and so do my teammates.”
Are you making runs like a striker?
That’s true, that’s true. Every now and then, I position myself like a number 9 and finish chances just like a number 9 would. The coach gives me that freedom, and my teammates do too—when I push into the attack, they cover my position. Honestly, I’m really happy about that. Hakimi: “I was joking around with him, but the coach thought I was getting upset.”
What did Luis Enrique say regarding the goal that was nearly offside?
I was speaking with the linesman, asking him if he’d correctly judged whether or not there was an offside. I was joking around with him, but the coach thought I was getting upset. He told me to stay focused—he’s always asking me to do that, especially since I talk to the referees quite a lot. I was very happy that the goal was awarded.
