In the heart of Morocco, where the medinas buzz with life and football shirts hang in every market stall, the name Achraf Hakimi is on everyone’s lips. The 27-year-old right-back, captain of the Moroccan national team and a mainstay at Paris Saint-Germain, is in the spotlight for more than just his dazzling performances on the pitch. As Morocco prepares for a high-stakes Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) semi-final against Nigeria, Hakimi finds himself at the intersection of sporting glory, personal controversy, and relentless public fascination.
Hakimi’s journey to this moment has been nothing short of extraordinary. Born in Madrid, he rose through Real Madrid’s academy before making his mark at Borussia Dortmund and Inter Milan. In July 2021, PSG snapped him up for a hefty €60 million, and he’s since helped them to four consecutive Ligue 1 titles and a historic Champions League victory, even scoring in the final against his former club Inter. His international career is equally impressive: Hakimi was the hero in Morocco’s shootout victory over Spain at the 2022 World Cup, and he led the Atlas Lions to a bronze medal at the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
But as Morocco hosts the 35th edition of AFCON, the story swirling around Hakimi is as much about off-field drama as on-field brilliance. Rumors have been rampant about a budding romance between Hakimi and Bollywood dancer-actor Nora Fatehi. The speculation began when Fatehi traveled to Morocco to watch the national team in action during the ongoing tournament, and intensified after fans noticed Hakimi had liked one of her Instagram posts from the match. Social media sleuths quickly recalled Fatehi’s previous admission that Hakimi was her favorite footballer, adding more fuel to the fire. Neither party has confirmed the relationship, but the rumor mill shows no sign of slowing down.
Of course, Hakimi’s private life has been under scrutiny before. He was previously married to Spanish actress Hiba Abouk from 2020 to 2023, and the couple share two children. Their separation played out in the public eye, with Abouk issuing a statement in April 2023: “Some time ago, after much reflection, the father of my children and I made the decision to end our relationship, long before the events in which I have been involved in the media and of which I am totally unaware.” She added, “We can only trust in the good work of justice.” Abouk’s words came as Hakimi faced the most serious challenge of his career—a legal investigation in France that remains unresolved.
In February 2023, French prosecutors opened a preliminary investigation into an allegation of rape against Hakimi. He was charged the following month and placed under judicial supervision. Hakimi has consistently denied the allegations, insisting he is the target of a “blackmail” attempt. In January 2025, he broke his silence on the #ABtalks podcast, saying, “It’s the first I speak about that with anyone because, since this incident two years ago, I haven’t said an opinion or anything, and, as I said, we left this matter to the judiciary and it’s the best way to explain things.” He reflected on the toll the saga has taken: “When you achieve success and things go well, you become an easy target. That taught me that I shouldn’t trust a lot of people around me.”
The legal process has been slow and fraught with uncertainty. In August 2025, French prosecutors issued a final referral to the criminal courts. Hakimi’s lawyer, Fanny Colin, stated, “Achraf Hakimi is charged with false accusation, which is evidenced by all the elements of the case. Achraf Hakimi will therefore attend any trial with the utmost serenity, confidence and fighting spirit.” The investigating judge has yet to decide whether the case will go to trial. In the meantime, Hakimi continues to play for club and country, his career seemingly undented by the shadow of legal proceedings.
On the pitch, Hakimi remains Morocco’s talisman. In November 2025, he was crowned the Confederation of African Football (CAF) men’s Player of the Year, outshining Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah. He finished sixth in the 2025 Ballon d’Or voting and was named in the men’s XI of the year at the FIFA Best awards. The Moroccan public idolizes him—his PSG jerseys sell out in Rabat and Marrakech, and even his teammate Kylian Mbappe has been spotted wearing his Morocco shirt. Hakimi is also the face of major advertising campaigns, his image beaming from billboards across the country.
Yet, the adoration is not without its complications. As The Athletic noted, “Hakimi is unconditionally idolised around the world, not just in Morocco, but should he be? And what will happen if he lifts the AFCON trophy this weekend and then finds himself in a courtroom later this year?” The juxtaposition is stark: Hakimi could be the hero of a nation one day and a defendant in a high-profile trial the next.
Despite the off-field turbulence, Hakimi’s recent return from injury has been a major boost for Morocco. After suffering an ankle injury playing for PSG against Bayern Munich in November 2025, he missed the opening AFCON matches but made his comeback in the group stage against Zambia. The crowd inside Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium erupted as he took the field. Reflecting on his return, Hakimi said, “I missed playing so much, and I am very happy to be back. This match [against Zambia] showed the spirit we have been looking for as a team.” He praised the fans, saying, “The energy in the stands was exactly what we needed. We will give everything for the national jersey and to make our fans proud of the work we do.”
PSG coach Luis Enrique has closely monitored Hakimi’s recovery, commenting, “That’s good news. For us, it’s important that he’s fit and 100%, which isn’t the case yet.” Still, Enrique acknowledged the benefit of Hakimi playing for Morocco, helping him regain match sharpness at a crucial time.
Hakimi has played a pivotal role in Morocco’s march to the AFCON semi-finals, featuring in the group stage win over Zambia, the Round of 16 against Tanzania, and the quarterfinal triumph over Cameroon. Head coach Walid Regragui hailed him as a “true leader” and a “source of motivation” after the victory over Cameroon. The streets of Rabat erupted in celebration as Morocco reached the last four of the tournament for the first time in 21 years. Now, all eyes are on the clash with Nigeria, where Hakimi is expected to lead the team from the start in a match that could define his legacy.
As the AFCON drama unfolds, Hakimi’s story is a reminder of the complexities that come with fame and success. He stands at the crossroads of adulation and adversity, carrying the hopes of a nation while facing profound personal challenges. Whatever the outcome on the field or in the courts, Achraf Hakimi’s journey continues to captivate—and divide—the world of sport.
