7 Achraf Hakimi Quotes — His Mother's Sacrifice, Moroccan Pride & Leading the Atlas Lions at the 2026 World Cup
Achraf Hakimi (1998-present) is a Moroccan professional footballer, widely regarded as the best right-back in the world. Born in Madrid to Moroccan parents — a mother who cleaned houses and a father who sold goods in the street — he came through Real Madrid's academy but chose to play for Morocco, the country of his roots. He won the Champions League with Paris Saint-Germain in 2025, scoring in the final, was crowned CAF African Player of the Year that November, and captains the Atlas Lions at the 2026 World Cup.
Hakimi's fame rests on two images. The first is the ice-cold Panenka penalty that knocked Spain — the country of his birth — out of the 2022 World Cup, launching Morocco's historic run to the semi-finals. The second is what happened after every triumph: Hakimi crossing the pitch to kiss his mother, Saida, in the stands. His tribute to her sacrifices has become one of football's most shared quotes. At the 2026 World Cup, his Morocco eliminated the Netherlands on penalties in the Round of 32, and Hakimi warned the world in four words: "We're not done yet." The Atlas Lions' Round of 16 clash with Canada on July 4 stands between them and another quarter-final.
Who Is Achraf Hakimi?
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Born | November 4, 1998, Madrid, Spain |
| Nationality | Moroccan (born in Spain to Moroccan parents) |
| Position | Right-back |
| Club 2026 | Paris Saint-Germain, shirt number 2 |
| Known For | Champions League 2025 winner with PSG (scored in the final); CAF African Player of the Year 2025; captain of Morocco; the Panenka that beat Spain at the 2022 World Cup |
Key Achievements and Episodes
The Panenka Against the Country of His Birth — Qatar 2022
In the Round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup, Morocco held Spain 0-0 through 120 minutes and took the tie to penalties. With the shootout on his boot, Hakimi — born and raised in Madrid, formed at Real Madrid's academy — chipped a feather-soft Panenka down the middle to send Morocco through. The Atlas Lions went on to beat Portugal and become the first African and first Arab team ever to reach a World Cup semi-final. After the Spain match, Hakimi celebrated as he always does: kissing his mother in the stands.
2025 — The Champions League and Africa's Crown
In May 2025, Hakimi won the Champions League with Paris Saint-Germain, opening the scoring in the final as PSG crushed Inter Milan 5-0 in Munich — the club's first European title. Six months later, in Rabat, he was named CAF African Player of the Year 2025, beating Mohamed Salah to the award in front of a home crowd. His acceptance speech, dedicated to dreaming children and to his Moroccan identity, brought the room to its feet.
World Cup 2026 — Proving Qatar Was No Accident
As captain at the 2026 World Cup, Hakimi led Morocco through the group stage and into a Round of 32 showdown with the Netherlands, which the Atlas Lions survived on penalties after fighting back in regulation time. Hakimi told reporters afterwards that the doubters who called 2022 "a stroke of luck" had their answer. Next up: Canada in the Round of 16 on July 4, with a place among the last eight on the line.
Hakimi Quotes on His Mother and Family
Hakimi's parents emigrated from Morocco to Madrid and worked punishing jobs so their son could chase football. His account of that debt, given in interviews around 2020, remains one of the most moving things any modern player has said.
"My mother cleaned houses and my father was a street vendor. We come from a modest family that struggled to earn a living. Today I fight every day for them, because they sacrificed themselves for me. They deprived my brothers of many things for me to succeed."
Source: Interview remarks to French media, c. 2020 (widely documented). The tribute behind his famous celebration of kissing his mother in the stands.
"Everything I have belongs to her."
Source: Interview remarks about his mother, Saida (widely reported).
Hakimi Quotes on Morocco and Pride
Born in Spain and courted by Spanish youth football, Hakimi chose Morocco — and has spent his career explaining that the decision was never really a choice at all. His words in Rabat in November 2025, accepting Africa's highest individual honour, completed the circle.
"I always felt Moroccan. Playing for Morocco was a choice of the heart."
Source: Widely attributed; Hakimi has explained his decision to represent Morocco over Spain in these terms across several interviews.
"It's an honour for me to win this great prize. This is a prize for everyone, including the children who dream of becoming footballers."
Source: CAF African Player of the Year acceptance speech, Rabat, November 2025.
"I grew, I worked, and nothing was easy. But with the support of my family, my friends and everyone around me, I made it. I'm proud of my Moroccan identity. Long live Morocco."
Source: CAF African Player of the Year acceptance speech, Rabat, November 2025.
Hakimi Quotes at the 2026 World Cup
"We're not done yet."
Source: Post on X after Morocco eliminated the Netherlands, World Cup 2026 Round of 32, July 2026. Four words that put the tournament on notice.
"There were a lot of people who thought what happened in Qatar was just a stroke of luck. But we kept our focus, and hard work always pays off — today we reaped the rewards of that effort. We need to stay focused and humble like we have from the start, and we will reach the end, God willing."
Source: Press conference after Morocco's shootout win over the Netherlands, World Cup 2026 Round of 32, July 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions About Achraf Hakimi
What is Achraf Hakimi's most famous quote?
Hakimi's most famous quote is his tribute to his parents: "My mother cleaned houses and my father was a street vendor... Today I fight every day for them, because they sacrificed themselves for me." The words explain his signature celebration — after Morocco's biggest wins, including the 2022 shootout against Spain, Hakimi climbs into the stands to kiss his mother, Saida.
What club does Achraf Hakimi play for in 2026?
As of 2026, Hakimi plays for Paris Saint-Germain, wearing the number 2 shirt. He joined PSG from Inter Milan in 2021 and won the club's first Champions League in May 2025, scoring the opening goal in the 5-0 final victory over Inter. In November 2025 he was named CAF African Player of the Year in Rabat.
Is Achraf Hakimi playing at the 2026 World Cup?
Yes. Hakimi is captaining Morocco at the 2026 World Cup, where the Atlas Lions knocked out the Netherlands on penalties in the Round of 32 — echoing their famous 2022 shootout wins. Morocco face Canada in the Round of 16 on July 4, 2026, with a quarter-final place at stake as they chase another deep run.
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