Hakimi, without nerves, leads Morocco into uncharted territory at the World Cup

If Achraf Hakimi was feeling the weight of anticipation on his shoulders when he stepped forward to take a historic penalty for Morocco against Spain, he didn’t show it.

The defender showed nerves of steel to spike the ball past goalkeeper Unai Simón to seal a 3-0 penalty shootout victory over the hapless Spaniards, after the match ended goalless on Tuesday.

The Madrid-born Paris Saint-Germain player led Morocco into uncharted territory, with the North African team becoming the first from the Arab world to reach the quarterfinals at a World Cup.

Wild celebrations broke out in Morocco and across Europe as the diaspora rejoiced, from Paris to Brussels to Barcelona, ​​while other African and Arab countries were buoyed by their success.

Although coach Walid Regragui prefers to give credit to the team rather than the people, Hakimi is one of his most outstanding players.

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With a dynamic and explosive presence, he is fond of sprinting at full speed to join the attack, maintaining discipline in defense.

Hakimi trained with Spain at youth level, before deciding to pledge allegiance to the country of his parents.

“I also went to the Spanish team to try it out,” he told Spanish daily Marca before the game.

“I was in Las Rozas for a couple of days and I saw that it was not the right place for me, I did not feel at home.

“It was not for anything in particular, but for what I felt, because it was not what I had at home, which is the Arab culture, being Moroccan. She wanted to be here”.

Those family ties have played an important role in maintaining Morocco’s historical charge.

A photo of Hakimi, 24, kissing his mother in the stands after their 2-0 group stage win over Belgium caused a sensation on social media.

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The families of the team have been allowed to stay close and this allows the players to feel the love that in many cases led them to choose to play for Morocco.

In addition to Hakimi, several other players were born elsewhere but opted for the North African nation.

“For me, my mom is the most important thing in my life,” Sofiane Boufal, born in Paris, said euphorically after beating Spain.

“Sure (she was crying), the emotions in this game drive you crazy. Your family’s support is the most important thing.”

Rising up

Hakimi came from a modest family, living in the Madrid suburb of Getafe.

His mother cleaned houses, while his father was a street vendor.

“I fight every day for them,” Hakimi said in 2018. “They sacrificed for me, they deprived my brothers of many things, so that I could succeed.”

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Hakimi made his Morocco debut in 2016, while still a Real Madrid player, he won the Champions League with Los Blancos but never fully established himself.

He was loaned to Borussia Dortmund for two years and then permanently signed for Inter Milan. After a good season in Italy, winning Serie A, PSG signed him in 2021.

With a Ligue 1 title in his pocket, Hakimi arrived with Morocco at the World Cup ready to do the job the team needed him to do despite his star status.

Hakimi has been emotional from time to time in Qatar, setting up Youssef En-Nesyri with a perfectly weighted pass against Canada, but he has also helped form part of the strongest defense at the World Cup.

Morocco’s only goal conceded came in a 2-1 win over Canada as they knocked out 2018 runners-up Croatia as well as Belgium and Spain.

Winger Hakim Ziyech also drew praise after returning from a period of exile due to a falling out with the previous manager, but through thick and thin, Hakimi has been there for his country.

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Now, packed with people in the stadiums of Doha and supporting him from afar, Hakimi’s people are also there for him.

Source: AFP