Paris Saint-Germain received a major boost ahead of the Champions League final as Achraf Hakimi is poised to reclaim his starting role against Arsenal in Budapest. The Moroccan right-back, who sustained a thigh injury in the semi-finals, has progressed faster than expected and is set to rejoin collective training this week, putting him firmly in contention for the May 30 showdown.
Hakimi suffered the injury in the closing stages of the first leg against Bayern Munich on April 28, a thrilling 5-4 victory that ultimately propelled PSG to the final. He pulled up clutching his thigh after an explosive run, immediately sparking fears of a prolonged absence. Initial scans revealed a muscle strain that typically requires four to six weeks of recovery, casting doubt over his availability for the season's biggest match.
Instead, the 27-year-old's rehabilitation has been remarkably swift. Club medical staff designed a tailored program that allowed him to shed crutches within days and begin light workouts. By the second week, he was already doing ball work, and the latest assessments convinced the coaching staff that he could participate in full training sessions without heightened risk of relapse. The three-week timeline means he will have just enough preparation to reclaim his spot.
The defender's importance to Luis Enrique's system cannot be overstated. Hakimi is not just a defensive stalwart but also a vital attacking outlet, contributing seven assists and three goals in this season’s European campaign. His speed on the overlap and ability to stretch defenses offer a dimension that PSG sorely missed in his absence. Against Arsenal's potent left flank, his recovery could prove decisive.
This is not the first time Hakimi has raced against the clock. In November, he suffered a severe ankle sprain in a Champions League group match—again against Bayern—that threatened his participation in the Africa Cup of Nations, staged on home soil in Morocco. Opting against surgery, he completed an intense rehab, returning for the third group game against Zambia on December 29. That experience, which forced him to slowly regain top form, has steeled his mindset for the current challenge.
Teammates have noted his unwavering focus. 'He knows his body now and doesn't panic,' a club insider said, reflecting the calm that has surrounded his recovery. Indeed, when Hakimi appeared at Stade Jean-Bouin on Sunday during PSG’s Ligue 1 fixture, he was all smiles, walking freely without any hint of a limp—an image that reassured supporters and staff alike.
The timing of his return also eases pressure on Ousmane Dembélé, who is nursing a right calf issue. Dembélé’s status remains uncertain, but having Hakimi back ensures PSG won’t be without two of their most electric players. Coach Enrique can now field a balanced XI, with Hakimi’s attacking surges complementing the creativity of Dembélé or his replacement.
For Arsenal, the development is a blow. Mikel Arteta’s side prepared for a PSG without its starting right-back, possibly exploiting that flank. Now they must adjust to facing a full-strength Parisian backline. Hakimi’s presence also allows PSG to switch seamlessly between a back four and a three-man defense, a tactical flexibility that troubled opponents all season.
The final itself carries historic weight. PSG aim to become only the third club since the Champions League's reform to win back-to-back titles, while Arsenal seek their first European crown. Hakimi, a World Cup semi-finalist and AFCON winner, knows the magnitude of the occasion and has made clear he will not be a mere observer.
With training now on the horizon, the focus shifts to his reintegration. Medical staff will monitor his workload carefully, but the expectation is that unless he suffers a setback, he will line up from the first whistle. His journey from the physio table to the Puskás Aréna turf embodies the resilience that has defined PSG’s season.
In the end, Hakimi’s rapid recovery underscores a modern athlete's ability to overcome elite-level injuries through advanced sports science and sheer determination. As the French capital buzzes with anticipation, one thing is clear: the Moroccan's name is already penned into Enrique's team sheet, a testament to his warrior spirit and the club's meticulous care.
Based on reporting from L'Equipe.
