A boy with Moroccan roots who grew up in Spain

Long before becoming an international star and one of the most recognized full-backs in world football, Achraf Hakimi experienced a childhood shaped by family sacrifice and pride in his roots.

He was born on November 4, 1998, in Madrid, Spain, into a Moroccan family that emigrated in search of better opportunities. His father worked as a street vendor and his mother as a domestic worker, while football gradually became the young defender’s greatest passion.

Real Madrid and the beginning of a professional dream

Hakimi’s talent emerged at an early age. At just eight years old, he joined Real Madrid’s academy, where he began a development process that would shape much of his career.

He stood out for his speed, attacking ability and versatility to play on either flank, qualities that quickly caught the attention of coaches and club executives.

His first-team debut came in 2017 and marked the beginning of a journey that would later take him to compete for some of Europe’s biggest clubs.

Germany, Italy and France: the rise of a star

To accelerate his development, Hakimi joined Borussia Dortmund on loan, a spell that proved essential to his football growth.

In Germany, he became one of European football’s most dynamic full-backs thanks to his explosiveness and ability to contribute both defensively and offensively. He later wore the colors of Inter Milan, where he won the Serie A title, before joining Paris Saint-Germain, the club where he ultimately established himself as an international star.

The decision to represent Morocco

Although he was born in Spain and could have pursued opportunities with other national teams, Hakimi never hid his emotional connection to his parents’ homeland.

From a young age, he chose to wear Morocco’s jersey, a decision that shaped much of his sporting identity and strengthened his bond with millions of supporters.

That sense of belonging quickly transformed him into one of the leading figures of the African national team.

The World Cup that changed Morocco’s history

Hakimi’s international career reached its most symbolic moment at Qatar 2022, a tournament where Morocco broke barriers and surprised the entire world.

The African side eliminated European powers and became the first African and Arab nation to reach a World Cup semifinal, a historic achievement that permanently changed perceptions of Moroccan football.

Hakimi played a central role throughout that campaign. His leadership, personality and decisive performances — including the memorable penalty against Spain — made him one of the tournament’s defining faces.

Beyond the final result, his story became forever linked to the moment Morocco defied expectations and opened a new chapter in World Cup history.