Achraf Hakimi Reveals Why He Picked Morocco Over Spain
It wasn’t about chances… it was about feeling. A decision that shaped everything that came next.
A decision that changed everything
Today, Achraf Hakimi is one of the standout stars at PSG, but there was a moment early in his career when he faced a choice that would define his future.
The full-back revealed he had real opportunities to represent Spain, even while coming through at Real Madrid, but something just didn’t click. It wasn’t about football… it was about how it felt.
“I didn’t feel comfortable”
Speaking on The Bridge podcast, Achraf opened up about that experience. Spain reached out multiple times, and he even trained with the national setup to see how it felt.
But it never truly fit. “I went, I tried it, and I didn’t feel comfortable with Spain,” he admitted. That moment made it clear he needed to follow a different path.
Morocco, a personal choice
Far from being a quick decision, Hakimi explained that his choice was deeply connected to his roots and family.
“For my career and for my parents, choosing Morocco felt like the right and most natural decision,” he said, making it clear this went beyond football — it was about identity and belonging.
Friendship off, rivalry on
The conversation also featured Kylian Mbappé and Aurélien Tchouaméni, who agreed that choosing a national team is something players must truly feel, not approach like a club project.
And while Achraf and Mbappé share a strong bond, both made it clear that once the game starts, friendship disappears. Even jokingly, Hakimi said he wouldn’t hesitate to stop him in a World Cup final… even if that meant sending him straight to the physio.
