Competition With Carvajal Shaped His Path

Achraf Hakimi came through the youth ranks at Real Madrid, but his chances in the first team were limited due to the presence of Dani Carvajal, long considered one of the world’s top right-backs. Despite showing his quality during a loan spell at Borussia Dortmund, the Spanish giants opted to sell him to Inter Milan in 2020 for around $45 million.

In an interview with Marca, his agent Alejandro Camano revealed that both the player and the club recognized his talent, but the need for regular playing time made a move necessary. “The competition with Carvajal made Achraf stronger, but staying would have meant limited minutes and slower growth,” Camano said.

Zidane Wanted Him to Remain a Madridista

Far from calling it a mistake, Camano emphasized that the decision was strategic and helped Hakimi reach his full potential. “It wasn’t Zidane’s fault. He has a close relationship with Hakimi and his family, but we needed him to play 40 matches per season,” he explained. From the moment he left, the goal was clear: to succeed at the highest level.

After a standout year with Inter, Hakimi joined Paris Saint-Germain, where he quickly became a key figure in their lineup.

The Reward: Winning the Champions League With PSG

Five years after parting ways with Real Madrid, Achraf Hakimi reached a career milestone by helping PSG win their first-ever UEFA Champions League title. The victory, sealed last Saturday, stands as the biggest achievement in his career so far and validates the choice to leave Madrid in search of greater challenges.

While Real Madrid has now secured Trent Alexander-Arnold as their new right-back, Hakimi’s journey is a reminder that talent, when matched with bold career decisions, can lead to glory.