Achraf Hakimi has been an incredible force in the football world over coming challenges off the pitch and becoming an European Champion.
PSG defender Achraf Hakimi’s journey over the past two years in the football world has been a though and sweet moment, making the story a good one when he lifted the UEFA Champions League trophy with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) after a record-breaking 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in Munich.
The Moroccan full-back, who scored the opener in the final, has cemented his status as one of football’s elite defenders and also silenced critics who questioned his focus following a highly publicized divorce saga in 2023.
Hakimi’s personal life made global headlines in March 2023 when his then-wife, Spanish actress Hiba Abouk, announced their separation after three years of marriage, with divorce proceedings underway.
The couple, who had two sons born in 2020 and 2022, faced intense chaos when reports emerged—though unverified—that Hakimi had registered his assets under his mother’s name, allegedly leaving Abouk with little to claim in the settlement despite his €1m-per-month PSG salary.
Abouk, in an Instagram statement, expressed her bitterness, noting the “ignominy” she faced alongside the pain of separation.
Meanwhile, posts on several social media reflected mixed sentiments, with some users celebrating Hakimi’s “smart” move while others debated the ethics of his actions.
Adding to the pain, Hakimi was indicted in March 2023 for an alleged rape of a 24-year-old woman at his Paris home, though his lawyer denied the allegations, and the case remains under judicial supervision as per report.
Despite these off-field challenges, Hakimi’s focus and fight on the pitch has been remarkable. His historic run with Morocco at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where he was named Arab Sportsman of the Year, showcased his mental fortitude—a quality that carried him through PSG’s dominant 2024-25 season.
Hakimi’s contributions to PSG’s first-ever Champions League title were pivotal. He scored the decisive goal in a 2-1 semi-final second-leg win over Arsenal, securing PSG’s place in the final. Just a week before the Munich showdown, he netted in a 3-0 Coupe de France final victory over Reims.
In the Champions League final, his early strike set the tone for PSG’s historic thrashing of Inter Milan, marking the largest margin of victory in the competition’s history.
His performances earned him a spot on the UEFA Team of the Week earlier in the season and a nomination for the 2024 African Footballer of the Year award, alongside teammate Soufiane Rahimi.
From the lows of a public divorce and legal battles to the highs of European glory, Hakimi’s story is one of redemption and focus. At 26, the former Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund star has proven his ability to rise above adversity, leaving fans to wonder what’s next for this Champions League winner.
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