In a moment that has stunned the football world, Achraf Hakimi has ignited intense headlines ahead of his highly anticipated clash with former club Real Madrid. The Moroccan right-back, now a vital figure at Paris Saint-Germain, made a searing public statement during a pre-match press conference that left fans, pundits, and even Madrid supporters speechless.
“I haven’t forgotten,” Hakimi declared coldly. “Everything they did to me… the way they discarded me like I was nothing. I will make them regret it. I will destroy Real Madrid — on the pitch, where it hurts the most.”
This fiery vow has added enormous drama to what was already a high-stakes semifinal at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025. PSG vs Real Madrid has long been a fixture loaded with star power and tension, but with Hakimi’s words, the narrative has shifted into something far more personal.
Hakimi, who came through the youth ranks at Real Madrid and was once seen as a future cornerstone of the club, was loaned out and eventually sold to Inter Milan in 2020, despite showing immense promise. Many fans at the time believed Madrid had given up too quickly on a generational talent. Now, it’s clear that Hakimi himself never fully accepted the decision.
“For years, I stayed quiet. I worked. I succeeded elsewhere. But deep down, I’ve always waited for this moment,” he said. “This match is personal. I’m not just playing for a trophy — I’m playing for closure.”
Sources close to Hakimi suggest the bitterness runs deep. One former teammate, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: “He felt betrayed. Not by the fans, but by the system — by those who didn’t believe in him when it mattered most.”
Inside the PSG camp, Hakimi’s words have reportedly lit a fire among his teammates. Kylian Mbappé posted a photo of himself and Hakimi in training with the caption: “Let’s settle this.” Coach Luis Enrique, while attempting to downplay the emotional aspect, admitted, “Achraf is motivated. Extremely motivated. We respect that. But what matters most is channeling that energy into performance.”
Real Madrid, on the other hand, has chosen to remain silent. No official response has been given to Hakimi’s explosive comments, though sources say the locker room has taken note. Veteran captain Nacho was seen shaking his head after hearing the quote, and manager Carlo Ancelotti reportedly reminded his squad, “Let your football do the talking.”
As kickoff nears, all eyes will be on Hakimi — not just because of his talent, but because of the fire now burning behind every sprint, every tackle, every cross. For him, this is more than a semifinal. It’s payback.
Whether he delivers on his thunderous promise or Madrid silences him once again, one thing is certain: this match just became unmissable.
The battle for a place in the final is now overshadowed by a storm of vengeance, pride, and history. The world will be watching.
