Walid Regragui, head coach of the Morocco national team, decided to let Achraf Hakimi rest in Morocco's away game against Zambia (a 2-0 win) in the second match, which also revealed some clues about his physical condition.
This decision should see the Moroccan player start in Sunday's match against RC Lens at the Parc des Princes. Within PSG, over the past few days, there has been a desire to ensure that Luis Enrique and his coaching staff act in the best interests of the player, using all possible rest periods to help him recover.
Enrique is well aware of this, and he wants to enable Achraf to contribute as much as possible, but his physical condition differs from that of other players.
Achraf has been able to combine his efforts (averaging a speed of 36.48 km/h per game last season), be decisive in attack (11 goals and 16 assists), while also upholding defensive instructions—especially in terms of high pressing and ball recovery.
However, this defender is not superhuman. Last year, even in the first match in August, some of his physical pains became more intense. The former Real Madrid player always gritted his teeth and strived to stay on the pitch. Has the risk of injury increased now? Yes, but the player seems to have accepted this.
"If I had to go through another season like last season, I would sign the contract without hesitation," he explained privately to some close friends.
"Achraf follows a structured training program that combines club training with personalized sessions from his private fitness coach. The main goals of this additional training are not only to improve his speed, strength, and agility, but also to prevent injuries and ensure optimal recovery.
The program also pays special attention to his lifestyle: a balanced diet, adequate sleep, and strict recovery methods are all key elements of his daily life."
With Morocco's participation in the Africa Cup of Nations (December 21 to January 18), the Club World Cup at the end of the season (June 11 to July 19), and PSG's schedule this season being burdened by the Intercontinental Cup (to be held in Doha on December 17), Achraf knows he must listen to his body... as well as his mind.
Moreover, over the past few weeks, his relationship with Paris Saint-Germain seems to have been strained. The club's dissatisfaction with his informal remarks in an interview—where he talked about his desire for the Ballon d'Or—and the way the management tried to restrict his media interviews have been the low points of their relationship.
While the rift is not insurmountable, PSG has at times been clumsy in its handling of the player. And when the mind guides the body...
