Rabat – “Falls are part of the journey, the comeback is what makes the difference.” That was the message Achraf Hakimi posted on social media today following the devastating ankle injury he sustained during Paris Saint‑Germain’s Champions League clash with Bayern Munich.
The injury occurred after a sliding challenge from Bayern’s Luis Díaz, which caused Hakimi to roll his ankle and leave the pitch visibly distressed.
PSG’s medical update confirmed that Hakimi has “severely sprained his left ankle, which will leave him unavailable for several weeks.” This comes at a particularly sensitive time, with the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations 2025 (AFCON) hosted by Morocco, Hakimi’s status now casts a shadow over the national team’s hopes.
Initial reports estimate his absence to span between three and five weeks, although the exact prognosis depends on further scans assessing ligament damage. The timeframe could stretch further if the injury is more severe, potentially jeopardising his AFCON participation.
Despite the setback, Hakimi’s message of resilience shows he is already mentally preparing for the road ahead.
In addition, the right back’s personal history suggests that a strong comeback is possible. In 2019, while on loan at Borussia Dortmund, Hakimi suffered a metatarsal fracture in a match against VfL Wolfsburg.
Initially, it was feared he would miss the rest of the season, but his rehabilitation progressed swiftly, allowing him to return to full training and participate in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt. This previous experience provides hope that he can similarly recover in time for AFCON 2025.
For PSG, losing one of their key full-backs and attacking outlets is a heavy blow. It’s even more significant for Morocco, as the prolonged absence of their star defender so close to a major tournament at home raises concerns among fans.
