Hakimi reflects on difficult first year at PSG after Inter departure
Achraf Hakimi has opened up about the challenging transition he faced after leaving Inter Milan for Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2021. The Moroccan international, who joined the French champions for a reported fee of approximately €60 million, described his initial season in Paris as a period of significant professional and personal adjustment.
In an interview featured on The Bridge, Hakimi contrasted his influential role at Inter with the reality he encountered at the Parc des Princes. "My first year in Paris was very difficult," Hakimi stated. "I was coming from Inter and Borussia Dortmund, I was a different full-back, one who attacked, who scored, the team played with me, I was important for the team."
The defender suggested that the pre-existing attacking hierarchy at PSG, built around stars like Kylian Mbappé and Neymar, required a stylistic shift from his game. The situation evolved further with the sensational arrival of Lionel Messi shortly after Hakimi's own transfer. According to Hakimi, Messi's signing altered the club's project and style of play in a way that initially limited his impact. "We played in a different way, and I wasn't enjoying myself, I wasn't doing the things I liked, like attacking and being important. I felt like a small player," he explained.
This club form stood in stark contrast to his performances for the Moroccan national team, where he remained a pivotal figure. The disparity led to criticism from sections of the PSG support and media. Hakimi recalled that people questioned why he could not replicate his international performances at club level, a comparison he felt overlooked the fundamental differences in tactical setup and responsibility between the two teams.
Hakimi's move to PSG came on the back of a stellar Serie A-winning campaign with Inter, where his marauding runs from right wing-back were a cornerstone of Antonio Conte's system. His sale was a significant piece of business for Inter, driven by the club's well-documented financial pressures at the time. For PSG, the acquisition represented a major investment in a young, world-class full-back to bolster their defence.
Since those early struggles, Hakimi has established himself as a key component of the PSG squad, winning multiple Ligue 1 titles and adapting to various managerial approaches. His reflections offer a candid glimpse into the often complex process of integrating into a squad laden with global superstars, where individual roles must be recalibrated for the collective. The interview underscores how a high-profile transfer, even for a player of his caliber, does not guarantee immediate seamless success on a personal level.
