Throughout history, great players representing Arab nations have shone on the world football stage, but none have managed to lift the Ballon d’Or. Some players have come very close, such as Mohamed Salah (4th in 2025) or Riyad Mahrez (7th in 2016).

Today, hopes rest on the shoulders of Achraf Hakimi. The Moroccan player is enjoying the best spell of his professional career and looks set to be in the spotlight once again, having finished 6th in the 2025 Ballon d’Or.

His current season with Paris Saint-Germain has been outstanding. He has established himself as a key player for his team and has also demonstrated a maturity and consistency that place him among the best players in his position.

Now, he will have the opportunity to maintain his status among the elite when his team face Arsenal in the Champions League final. The full-back goes into this match in top form, and winning the European title could cap off an exceptional campaign.

However, to gauge his true impact on the pitch, one must understand how he developed under Luis Enrique and why he became a player capable of influencing every facet of his team’s game.

Redefining the full-back: The birth of the ‘complete player’

In his early days in football, Achraf Hakimi played as a winger, a position where he honed his speed, his ability to beat defenders and his attacking instincts. When he finally established himself as a right-back, he did not lose that attacking spirit and learned to utilise the wing in all its functions.

Over the years and as he matured at the highest level, the Moroccan set about “redefining” the role of right-back. In Paris Saint-Germain’s current system, Achraf is no longer limited to defending his area and making the occasional run forward.

Today, thanks to the tactical influence of Luis Enrique, he has become a complete player: he has the freedom and technique to drift inside, link up in midfield like a creative midfielder and break through pressing lines to reach the opposition’s box.

This transformation is precisely what has made him so decisive in modern football. His ability to be solid in winning the ball back whilst simultaneously creating danger with the instinct of a striker makes him a conundrum for opponents.

The figures on his impact and the weight of his experience

Hakimi’s fine form is reflected in PSG’s attacking statistics. This season, the Moroccan has scored 3 goals and provided 8 assists. These figures reflect his constant involvement in attack and his ability to make a decisive impact in the final third.

To gauge the importance of his attacking contribution, it suffices to mention that only Ousmane Dembélé (11), Vitinha (10) and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (10) have more assists than the full-back this season within Luis Enrique’s squad.

This statistical and on-pitch influence will surely be vital in the upcoming Champions League final against Arsenal. Furthermore, the pressure of the occasion will not be a problem for the Moroccan, who already knows what it takes to compete and shine in such matches.

At this point, it is worth noting that Hakimi has the valuable experience of the last European final against Inter in Munich, where he scored the opening goal and was key to the onslaught that ended in a ruthless 5-0 victory.

Representatives from the Arab world in the Ballon d'Or

- Mohamed Salah (Egypt): 6 nominations-
Riyad Mahrez (Algeria): 4 nominations-
Achraf Hakimi (Morocco): 1 nomination-
Yassine Bounou (Morocco): 1 nomination-
Hatem Trabelsi (Tunisia): 1 nomination

A legacy in the making: From Budapest to the 2030 milestone

With the Champions League final ahead and the upcoming World Cup just around the corner, Achraf Hakimi will be looking to establish himself once again as the leading figure in the Arab world today.

If he manages to achieve success with PSG in the Budapest final and, subsequently, has a strong World Cup with Morocco, the full-back is likely to write a new chapter of greatness in his professional career.

But his journey doesn’t end there. The 2030 World Cup is also on the horizon, with Morocco set to co-host the tournament. This event will represent the ultimate opportunity for Hakimi to lead his country on home soil and cement his legacy as a global icon.

Regardless of the outcome of upcoming fixtures, Achraf is already making his mark on modern football, where he has broken the mould and is fundamentally transforming the role of the right-back.