CAF POTY ‘Snubbed’ Real For PSG

Achraf Hakimi reportedly almost rejoined Real Madrid. (Photo: Achraf Hakimi/X)

Newly crowned African Footballer of the Year Achraf Hakimi reportedly snubbed a return to Real Madrid in favour of remaining at Paris Saint-Germain.

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The Moroccan star was born in the Spanish capital and received his football education at Real Madrid’s famed La Fabrica academy. Although he broke into the first team, he left on loan for Borussia Dortmund in 2018.

After an impressive spell at the Signal Iduna Park — and with Dani Carvajal still Real’s first-choice right-back — the Atlas Lions defender completed a €43 million (R843 million) move to Inter Milan. His rise continued, and after just one season with the Italian giants, he secured a lucrative switch to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021.

Heading into the 2024/25 season, Hakimi was approaching the final year of his PSG contract. Having watched his development in Germany, Italy, and France, the record European champions were rumoured to be keen on bringing him back.

However, with relations between Real Madrid and PSG strained due to the Kylian Mbappé transfer saga, the Spanish giants reportedly felt their best chance of re-signing Hakimi would come if he ran down his contract. There was growing confidence on their side after they secured the signing of his close friend Mbappe.

According to Diario AS, Real informed Hakimi that he would be welcomed back whenever he felt ready to end his PSG chapter. But with Mbappe’s departure freeing up significant space on PSG’s wage bill, Hakimi ultimately opted to stay in Paris.

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The Morocco captain signed an extension earlier this year in February, and by the end of the season played a key role in helping PSG win their first-ever treble. A return to his boyhood club may still be possible in the future, but for now, Hakimi is seemingly content in the French capital.

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