It is normal to feel uneasy when you are about to interview a famous footballer for the first time. Well, in my case, being surrounded by men in my family and hearing them cheer for clubs and shout players’ names at the top of their lungs most of the time and then actually meeting one of those celebrity footballers (virtually counts right?) makes it even more overwhelming, and a bit awkward too!
In front of me appears the face of a 24-year-old football star through the pixels of the screen rather blurry, similar to my expectation of how this interview will go. Visibility is clear now and so is Achraf Hakimi’s calm and soothing energy which beams through the luminous rectangle of the laptop, making even the smallest of my worries instantly fade away.
He slouches back comfortably relaxing his head on his bent arm and amicably smiles while the depth in his eyes radiates a genuine soul that penetrates the boundaries of the virtual world.
Hakimi’s patience is quite remarkable for a celebrity like him; to bear with all the inconveniences video calls usually impose was one more sign telling me to relax and was also key to understanding how he has been making his steady rise into the stratosphere of superstardom. When patience is combined with believing in oneself, it is a one-way ticket toward achieving dreams, a magical recipe for success; something that has been resonating with Hakimi and his religious beliefs along the way.
I dreamt of becoming a footballer and I believed in myself, but I let it go; I just played football for the sake of joy, and if it was meant for me to become a professional footballer then it would happen.
“I have always believed in myself a lot and that originated from my absolute belief and faith in God,” affirms Hakimi, who is currently considered to be one of the greatest Moroccan football talents and on his way to becoming one of the best African full-backs of all time.
“I have always wanted to be a footballer and only a footballer,” Hakimi simply avers when I asked if he ever thought of becoming something else, and it sounds like a divine vow the young star once made.
He admits: “I dreamt of becoming a footballer and I believed in myself, but I let it go; I just played football for the sake of joy, and if it was meant for me to become a professional footballer then it would happen.” It sounds like one of those famous quotes you might hear when binge-watching videos of success coaches, but it was an innately acquired practice that Hakimi has apparently mastered; the art of believing in oneself.
Growing up in Getafe, in the Southern suburbs of Madrid, Hakimi was an energetic kid whose mother often expressed her desire to see him try his luck in athletics.
However, Hakimi knew his passion lay in football. As such, he did not stray away from playing the sport that captured his heart and mind. It was at a local club, Deportivo Colonia Ofigevi, that young Hakimi had his first taste of competitive football.
Breaking into senior team
The Spanish-born right-back then went through Real Madrid’s youth academy before breaking into the senior team in 2017. He starred in Germany over two seasons with Dortmund before joining Inter where he won Series A in 2020-2021.
Then, the following season, he moved to Paris Saint-Germain, adding the Ligue 1 title to his collection of silverware. Hakimi’s rise through the ranks was seamless, in fact, possessing exquisite skill and the right character speak to the swiftness of this ascent.
Morocco defender Hakimi has already achieved so much for a player who has just turned 24, but what makes an achievement count for this champion is: “When it reaches the hearts of people and has a positive impact on the lives of others,” he stresses. He has played for Spanish giants Real Madrid, Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain, winning the Champions League, as well as Italian and French league titles with those clubs respectively, has more than 50 caps and is playing for his second World Cup, what else? He has scored more than 20 goals at club level, a decent tally for a defender who made his professional debut only a few years ago. Hakimi became the first Moroccan player to win the Champions League, add to that the fact that ESPN ranked him as world football’s second best-right back. As for FIFA World Cup 2022, Hakimi converted a historic penalty to send Morocco through to the quarter-finals for the first time. I am speechless!
The life of the young star revolves around two things: football and fatherhood. “I believe football will always have a place in my life; I started playing football every day eight years ago so you can imagine what a crucial role it has been in shaping me into the person I am today.” Indeed, and in every possible and most powerful way. “Playing football has improved me as a person, it was a constant process of learning and an opportunity to meet different people and that contributed to my present personality.” Hakimi fondly tells me about what motivates him every morning with a wide smile: “Waking up every day, my passion for football and training is a big motivation” then his eyes light up as he continues, “also, making people around me happy, especially my family, to do better and set a good example for them.” The father-of-two thinks of his children every single morning and of how he can be a good father as he says: “That is my biggest motivation in life.”
The brave young man who seems to not be afraid of anything in life confesses to me: “I only feel fear when I think about the wellbeing and future of my sons.” Hakimi is a family person in every sense and that extends beyond his role as a husband and father. A touching photo posted on his Instagram with the caption “I love you mum” written in Arabic shows the football star kissing the forehead of his mother after winning against Belgium in the World Cup in Qatar. The photograph not only took the Internet by storm with many praising Hakimi but also reflects the love he has for his family. It further shows his pride in his roots and heritage which are a part of his composition as a human being.
Hakimi’s parents migrated from Morocco, arriving in Spain long before he was born. Thus, Hakimi possesses pure Arabic origins despite being raised in a European country. “I was born and raised in Spain, but I’ll never forget where I came from.” Hakimi proudly tells me then adds: “At home, my parents shared Moroccan culture with me and raised me as a Muslim.” As we were chatting about the World Cup, I impulsively asked about the matches the Spanish team will play assuming he plays for Spain, but the Moroccan patriot politely corrected me, pointing out that he plays for the Moroccan national team. It was a big decision for someone of his professional level to make; choosing to play for the Moroccan national team instead of the Spanish team but Hakimi simply followed his heart as a North African man in his bones, he unveils: “My heart told me that I will feel better if I play for my national team.” This has undeniably sent a powerful message and made a big statement for millions of followers, and the world.
As a sports champion who dearly cherishes his Arabic roots, Hakimi considers hosting the World Cup in Qatar a matter of pride: “I feel proud that this is happening in an Arabic country, we should show the world that Arabs are capable of holding and organising important global events. Apart from that, it is a great opportunity to promote the Arabic culture because when people visit they can explore the country and experience its culture.” From there emerges the responsibility of Hakimi to represent young Muslims to the world and contribute to their positive image: “I try to set a good example for those who follow me; to be a role model they can look up to.” Hakimi’s wife Spanish actress Hiba Abouk, who is of Libyan and Tunisian descent, shares this responsibility with her husband. They set an example of a power couple who are keen to embody the image of an Arabic and Muslim yet modern couple: a successful footballer and an amazing actress with a beautiful family; a pair of entrepreneurs, a glamorous representation which we lack in the Arab world.
Having one of the top three players at PSG as a voice for Arabs is no mean feat but Hakimi believes that the voices of all thriving individuals in the Arab world are priceless. “They are the voices of Arabs who represent us in many different and positive ways, whether they are footballers, actors or scientists, etc. Their achievements are recognised worldwide, and their voices are heard” he says, then explains: “I feel happy because they support me in my mission to show the world that we are here and that we can dream, believe and achieve.” Hakimi sums up his whole journey with these words, whilst he still has bigger dreams on the horizon to fulfil “Every day for me is an opportunity to learn something new” he concludes.
