Achraf Hakimi: Why Leaving Real Madrid Made PSG a Joy

Achraf Hakimi has been at the center of headlines this week after reflecting on his 2020 Real Madrid exit and explaining why life at Paris Saint-Germain feels, in his own words, “more fun.” Below, we unpack the full story, from his formative days in the Spanish capital to his rise as one of Europe’s most dynamic full-backs.

Achraf Hakimi recalls his Real Madrid exit

The Morocco star was a product of Real’s famed La Fábrica academy, yet managed only 17 first-team appearances before being sold to Inter Milan in the summer of 2020 for €40 million. Speaking to Canal +, Achraf Hakimi stressed that the decision was “never mine,” hinting that the club’s need for quick cash after the pandemic influenced the sale. “I was ready to compete,” he said, “but the plan changed, and I had to leave.” His comments reignite debate over whether Los Blancos were too quick to cash in on another home-grown talent.

Why Achraf Hakimi is having ‘fun’ at PSG

Since joining PSG in 2021, Achraf Hakimi has found a tactical role that suits his high-octane style. Under Luis Enrique, the full-back is given licence to push high, overlap Kylian Mbappé and even drift inside as a pseudo-midfielder. “Football is an adventure,” he enthused. “Here I can attack, defend, combine. That freedom is fun.” The atmosphere in the dressing room also matters. Growing up in the same generation as Mbappé and Gianluigi Donnarumma, he describes the squad as “friends first, professionals second,” a stark contrast to the hierarchical environment at Real Madrid.

The data behind the ‘fun’

• 6 goals and 5 assists in 28 Ligue 1 appearances last season
• 50 touches per match in the final third, highest among Ligue 1 defenders
• Average sprint speed of 34.3 km/h, top three in the division

Those numbers prove that PSG’s system maximizes his strengths. In Spain he was often instructed to sit deeper behind Dani Carvajal; in Paris he is practically a winger.

Club World Cup drubbing adds fuel to the fire

Real Madrid’s 4-1 defeat to Manchester City in the Club World Cup semi-final last week (a heavy loss dubbed a “drubbing” by Spanish media) created the perfect backdrop for Hakimi’s subtle dig. While Real struggled to contain City’s wide overloads, PSG’s right-back showcased once again why width and pace matter in the modern game. Social media was quick to draw comparisons: “Imagine Achraf Hakimi marauding down that right flank for Madrid last night,” wrote one fan account, gathering 1.3 million views.

Reaction from Madrid

Inside Valdebebas, the player’s remarks were received with a shrug. Club sources reminded journalists that Hakimi’s sale funded the arrivals of Eduardo Camavinga and David Alaba. Yet even the staunchest Real defenders privately admit that depth at right-back remains a concern whenever Carvajal is injured.

PSG right-back thriving on and off the pitch

Beyond tactics, Paris offers lifestyle perks. Hakimi, born to Moroccan parents in Madrid, feels culturally at home in a city rich with North-African influence. Regular trips to Saint-Denis to visit relatives and a large francophone fan base from Morocco add to the sense of belonging. “The chants are in French, Arabic, Spanish—this is me,” he smiled.

Friends, family and future goals

Hakimi lives in the 16th arrondissement with his mother and younger brother Nabil, also in PSG’s academy. Close friendships with Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé and Nuno Mendes forged a support network he lacked in Madrid. On the sporting front, he aims to win the Champions League with PSG and inspire Morocco to repeat their 2022 World Cup heroics at the African Cup of Nations. “Fun is winning trophies,” he joked, “and I plan to have a lot more of it.”

Could a Real Madrid return ever happen?

Asked if he would consider wearing white again, Achraf Hakimi was diplomatic: “In football you never say never, but right now my heart is in Paris.” Sources close to the player insist there is no exit clause specifically favoring Real. PSG, for their part, value him above €90 million and see him as untouchable.

Financial aspect of the Real Madrid exit

Real Madrid’s decision to let Achraf Hakimi go was primarily financial. The pandemic wiped out match-day revenue, and Inter’s €40 million offer arrived when the club needed liquidity. Ironically, Madrid later spent more on positionally similar talents like Ferland Mendy. Critics argue that short-term savings cost them a long-term asset.

Opinions from pundits and former players

• Bixente Lizarazu: “Hakimi is tailor-made for PSG’s attacking philosophy; at Madrid he was underused.”
• Álvaro Arbeloa: “Competition at Real is ruthless. If you leave, prove your worth elsewhere—Achraf has done that.”
• Patrice Evra: “He’s the best right-back in the world after Trent Alexander-Arnold, maybe better defensively.”

The wider trend of academy departures

Hakimi’s story fits a pattern: Real Madrid have sold or loaned 35 academy graduates in the past decade, including Marcos Llorente, Álvaro Morata and Sergio Reguilón. Many flourished elsewhere, sparking debate over youth integration at elite clubs.

What’s next for Achraf Hakimi?

Short-term, PSG face Manchester City in the Champions League round of 16. This will pit Hakimi against another former Madridista, Josko Gvardiol, on City’s left side. Long-term, whispers of Premier League interest persist, with Chelsea and Manchester United monitoring his contract situation, which runs to 2026.

Personal milestones on the horizon

The 25-year-old is two caps away from 70 international appearances, already a Moroccan record for a defender. He also needs four Ligue 1 goals to surpass Maxwell as PSG’s highest-scoring full-back.

Author’s view

Real Madrid’s decision to offload Achraf Hakimi now looks like a strategic misstep. His combination of snelheid, stamina and tactical intelligence is rare. At PSG, those traits are celebrated rather than constrained, and the statistics back up his claim that he is having more “fun.” Unless Real find a modern, attacking right-back to match him, they may remember this sale as the one that got away.