Messi’s arrival at PSG in the summer of 2021 had a significant impact on Hakimi. Having joined from Inter Milan, the Moroccan right-back had to adapt to a new style of play that did not suit him and left him unable to play the way he wanted.
During an appearance on The Bridge podcast, hosted by French international Aurélien Tchouaméni, last April, Hakimi spoke about that period. Messi had joined a PSG squad that already included the attacking duo of Neymar and Kylian Mbappé.
“When Messi arrived, PSG’s project changed. It changed the team’s style of play. We played differently and I wasn’t benefiting from it. I felt like a minor player. We played in another way. I couldn’t use my strengths or do what I like,” Hakimi said.
Accustomed to pushing forward and contributing to his team’s attacking play, as he had done at Borussia Dortmund and Inter Milan, Hakimi saw his role change in Paris. The presence of three high-profile attacking players left him with less freedom down the right flank.
The Moroccan defender also discussed the psychological impact of that period and the criticism he faced over the difference between his performances for PSG and those for the national team.
“With the national team, I’m an important player. Mentally, it was difficult to perform at PSG the way I wanted to. In Paris, I was criticized a lot: ‘Why does he play like that for Morocco and like this in Paris?’ People don’t understand the difference,” he added.
Since Messi’s departure in 2023 and Luis Enrique’s arrival as PSG coach, Hakimi has regained greater attacking freedom and become a central figure in the Spanish coach’s system.
