Moroccan Player Achraf Hakimi Driven to Succeed in World Cup Semifinal Against France

Achraf Hakimi, the standout talent in Morocco's well-defended team, is set to face off against his close friend and Paris Saint-Germain teammate Kylian Mbappé in the highly anticipated World Cup semifinal match between France and Morocco. The two young players, both born in 1998, have developed a strong on-field partnership and chemistry at PSG, but their friendship will be put aside as they compete for a spot in the final.

Hakimi has been a key figure in Morocco's historic run to the semifinals, becoming the first African or Arabic team to reach this stage of the tournament. The Moroccan team, led by coach Walid Regragui, has impressed with victories over elite teams like Belgium, Portugal, and Spain. Despite the physical toll of the intense matches, Regragui expressed a sense of accomplishment in his young players' achievements and their ability to inspire children in Africa to dream of playing in the World Cup.

While Mbappé aims to become the youngest player besides Pelé to win two World Cup titles, Hakimi wants to be among the first African players to reach a World Cup final. The match-up between the two talented friends is expected to be a high-level duel, with Mbappé, the tournament's top scorer, being marked by Hakimi, who has been instrumental in Morocco's defensive solidity.

Why this matters:Morocco's remarkable success in the 2022 World Cup has not only made history for African and Arabic football but has also inspired a new generation of players across the continent. The team's achievements highlight the growing talent and competitiveness of African teams on the global stage.

Coach Regragui believes that an African team will win the World Cup in the future and hopes that Morocco's performance in Qatar will leave a lasting legacy for African football. "We have shown that we can go toe to toe with top teams," Regragui said. "We have made the Moroccan people proud, the African people proud, and the Arab world proud. We have shown that African teams can go far, and why not an African nation winning the World Cup in the future?"

Key Takeaways

• Hakimi and Mbappé, PSG teammates, face off in World Cup semifinal.
• Morocco becomes first African/Arab team to reach World Cup semifinals.
• Mbappé aims to be youngest player since Pelé to win 2 World Cups.
• Hakimi wants to be among first Africans to reach World Cup final.
• Morocco's success inspires new generation of African football talent.