Paris Saint-Germain head coach Luis Enrique has praised Moroccan international Achraf Hakimi following his outstanding performance in Friday's 5-1 victory over Le Havre. Hakimi delivered one of the most impressive performances of his career, scoring his first professional hat-trick and providing two assists to contribute directly to all five of PSG's goals. Enrique highlighted Hakimi's attacking abilities and his importance to the Parisian side.
Enrique described Hakimi as more of an attacker who plays further forward, with the ability to make runs and provide assists. He also called Hakimi the best right-back in the world, emphasizing that his consistency and commitment matter more than his impressive scoring record. Enrique expressed his satisfaction with Hakimi's consistent performance at the highest level.
Hakimi played a decisive role in PSG's comeback after Le Havre took an early lead. He first provided an assist to Mika Godts, who equalized in the 22nd minute. Four minutes later, Hakimi put PSG ahead with a powerful finish at the near post. He continued his impressive display in the second half, scoring his second goal in the 55th minute with a superb right-footed free kick.
Hakimi registered his second assist of the evening, setting up Senny Mayulu for PSG's fourth goal in the 62nd minute. He completed his historic hat-trick in the 70th minute, finishing a quick counterattack initiated by Godts to seal PSG's 5-1 victory. This performance highlighted Hakimi's attacking influence despite playing primarily as a right-back.
Beyond Hakimi's individual achievement, Friday's victory marked PSG's ninth consecutive win across all competitions, allowing the French champions to maintain their position at the top of the Ligue 1 standings. The match also represented an important personal milestone for Luis Enrique, who surpassed Laurent Blanc to establish a new club record with 127 official victories as PSG manager.
Hakimi, who joined PSG from Inter Milan in July 2021, has developed into one of the club's most influential players, combining defensive responsibilities with an increasingly important attacking role. His pace, movement, and ability to create scoring opportunities have made him a central figure in Enrique's tactical system. This performance comes at an important moment ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
With this latest display, Hakimi continues to demonstrate why Enrique considers him the best right-back in the world. The Moroccan captain's performance will likely boost his confidence and that of the Atlas Lions ahead of the continental tournament. Hakimi's ability to contribute to his team's success in multiple ways has solidified his position as a key player for both PSG and Morocco.
Key points
- Luis Enrique praises Achraf Hakimi's performance in PSG's 5-1 win over Le Havre.
- Hakimi scores his first professional hat-trick and provides two assists.
- Enrique considers Hakimi the best right-back in the world.
