This time, their close personal bond will have to take a back seat. After being teased on social media by Moroccan comedian Mimo Lazrak regarding his proximity to Kylian Mbappé, Achraf Hakimi responded directly in the comments section. "He is not my friend on the pitch," the Paris Saint-Germain defender stated clearly. The two former Paris teammates have previously put their friendship to the test on the international stage. Four years ago in Doha, they faced off during the World Cup semifinal, a match ultimately won 2-0 by Les Bleus thanks to goals from Théo Hernandez and Randal Kolo-Muani.
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Subscribe Sekarang →According to reports from RMCSport, that previous encounter concluded with a memorable display of sportsmanship. Following the final whistle, Mbappé took the time to comfort Hakimi, who lay stunned on the ground for several minutes, before pulling him into a warm embrace. The two stars subsequently exchanged jerseys. The French international even celebrated the victory while wearing his opponent's Moroccan shirt backward to display the name "Hakimi". Following the match, the French captain posted a supportive message on social media, writing: "Don’t be sad bro. Everybody is proud of what you did. You made history."
Based on editorial team observations, this powerful bond originally formed in the summer of 2021 when Hakimi transferred from Inter Milan to Paris Saint-Germain. The Moroccan fullback was brought in to be a cornerstone of the sporting project led by advisor Luis Campos. From the very first training sessions at Camp des Loges in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, Mbappé was the first to welcome Hakimi. "We immediately noticed this friendship. They were always side by side on the bus. Outside of football, we knew they saw each other often. They teased each other a lot and really had fun together," recalled a source close to the Parisian squad.
The two players share remarkable similarities that fueled their connection. Both born in 1998, they grew up in similar family environments, speak Spanish, and share identical interests outside of football. They were frequently spotted together in Paris enjoying dinners, nights out, and shopping trips. Their bond extended to shared vacations, including multiple trips to Madrid. "We are very good friends. The chemistry came naturally. What I like, he likes too. We are the same age, we are just two kids," Hakimi summarized in December 2021. Two years later, he stated that Mbappé had become his "best friend," adding that he had transitioned "from a teammate to a friend, a member of my family."
From editorial monitoring of their media appearances, their friendship has remained steadfast both on and off the pitch. During an episode of the show "The Bridge", co-hosted by Aurélien Tchouaméni, Hakimi briefly noted that "the bromance was born naturally." Mbappé also revealed that prior to their 2022 World Cup semifinal match, they conversed for nearly an hour and a half. The two players discussed their families in the stands and their upcoming holiday plans, eventually bursting into laughter when they crossed paths in the stadium tunnel despite the historic stakes of the game.
Behind the scenes, the two players continue to act as daily confidants. Sources close to the players indicate that they maintain regular contact, share holidays, and fiercely protect one another. Mbappé's loyalty was further demonstrated when the Real Madrid forward provided testimony and a signed letter in support of Hakimi during the Moroccan defender's ongoing legal proceedings, asserting that Hakimi had never engaged in inappropriate behavior. As France and Morocco prepare to meet again, this powerful brotherhood will once more be momentarily transformed into a world-class sporting rivalry.