Achraf Hakimi: 3 Reasons He Is The Best Right-Back In The League

Achraf Hakimi has revolutionized himself from a Real Madrid academy player to a PSG star. In a game that evolves with every passing season, the role of the right-back has undergone a radical transformation. It’s no longer just about defending the flank, making the occasional overlap, and putting in a wayward cross. Today’s elite full-backs are expected to be creators, destroyers, and tacticians, all rolled into one. And right now, very few can do the modern blueprint better than Hakimi.

Whether he’s running up and down the flank at Parc des Princes with Paris Saint-Germain or for his National team, Morocco, Hakimi’s performances have consistently placed him among the best in the world in his position. Here’s why he’s not just in the conversation, but leading it, as the best right-back in world football today.

1. Numbers Don’t Lie On Achraf Hakimi

Let’s start with what immediately catches the eye: Hakimi’s attacking output is unreal for a defender. In the 2024–25 season, he’s bagged seven goals and 14 assists for PSG. That’s not just good for a right-back; these are top-class numbers for any player on the pitch. To put it in perspective, he’s PSG’s fifth highest goal contributor, only behind Ousmane Dembélé, Gonçalo Ramos, and Bradley Barcola.

It’s not all about the end product, either. Hakimi is involved in the build-up at nearly every stage. He’s completed 847 out of 930 passes, a 91% success rate. But more importantly, he’s constantly looking forward. He leads Ligue 1 in progressive dribbles and passes into the final third, showing how vital he is in advancing the ball and breaking lines. In the Champions League, he’s been just as consistent. Hakimi is an all-around footballing unit for the Parisians with a 92% success rate on passes into the final third. His impact is seen all over the pitch, stats, and eyes, and neither lies. 

2. Tactical Intelligence and Flexibility

Hakimi’s talent is obvious, but what makes him elite is how effortlessly he adapts to different tactical demands. At PSG under Luis Enrique, he’s been asked to do it all, sometimes as a conventional right-back in a back four, sometimes as a wing-back in a back three. He’s even been seen tucking into midfield like an auxiliary playmaker. 

The right back is also seen in the box, mimicking movement like the number nine. He has gotten himself into a lot of goal-scoring situations because of it. The manager has instructed him to do it, and he’s doing it brilliantly. No matter where you slot him, Hakimi never looks out of place. That’s a testament not just to his skill, but to his football IQ.

It’s one thing to be physically gifted, and Hakimi is, without doubt, blessed with blistering pace, strength, and elite stamina, but it’s another to read the game at his level. He knows when to bomb forward and when to hold the line. His ability to time overlapping runs, stretch defenses, or invert into midfield depending on the shape PSG is playing is something even world-class players struggle with. 

Look back at his time under Antonio Conte at Inter Milan or Borussia Dortmund. The systems were different. The roles varied. Yet, the performances? World-class. Whether he’s tasked with hugging the touchline or drifting centrally to link play, Hakimi brings a rare level of consistency and versatility. That’s what separates him from Reece James, who struggles with injuries, Jules Kounde, who’s been excellent, but not as efficient in attack as the Moroccan. Trent Alexander-Arnold, whose defensive limitations still raise questions. Hakimi, quite simply, fits anywhere, and he elevates the system around him. 

3. Mentality, Maturity, and Big-Game Presence

The final puzzle piece is perhaps the most underrated: Hakimi’s mentality. He doesn’t just show up in the highlight reels. He shows up when it matters most. In PSG’s recent Champions League knockout run, Hakimi played with the composure and confidence you’d expect from a 10-year veteran. He was everywhere against Arsenal in the quarter-finals, cutting out passes, launching counterattacks, and providing a constant outlet on the right. Not to mention doing fairly well against the blistering pace of Gabriel Martinelli. 

Even more impressive is his leadership presence. At 26, Hakimi has already captained Morocco on multiple occasions and played a pivotal role in their unforgettable 2022 World Cup run, which saw them reach the semi-finals. That wasn’t just about passion; it was tactical discipline, calm under pressure, and a fearless mentality.

And let’s not forget: this season, he became the first Moroccan since Mustapha Hadji to be named CAF African Footballer of the Year. That doesn’t happen by accident. That happens when your performances resonate across an entire continent, when you’re not just a footballer, but an icon.

Hakimi has also matured off the pitch. Amid noise and distractions, he’s managed to keep his head down and deliver week in, week out. That level of focus and professionalism is rare in today’s game, especially for someone constantly under the spotlight at one of Europe’s biggest clubs.

Final Thoughts

Achraf Hakimi isn’t just the best right-back in the world right now; he’s redefining what the position means. He’s the player you build systems around, not someone you merely plug into one. It’s like having Kyle Walker and Trent Alexander-Arnold rolled into one.

In a generation stacked with talent, Hakimi stands apart because of his completeness. You can praise Trent’s creativity, or applaud Kounde or Danzel Dumfries’s physicality. Still, none of them offer the all-around package Hakimi does, at the level he does it, so consistently. And the scariest part? He’s still improving.