Kylian Mbappe was full of praise for Achraf Hakimi following Paris Saint-Germain’s dramatic Champions League victory over Barcelona, describing his former teammate as “too much” when at his best.
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Hakimi delivered a standout performance at the Nou Camp, helping PSG fight back from Ferran Torres’ opener to secure a 2-1 win sealed by Gonçalo Ramos in the 90th minute. The Moroccan full-back nullified the threat of teenage sensation Lamine Yamal and Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford, allowing Luis Enrique’s side to take control.
Mbappe, who scored a hat-trick for Real Madrid in their 5-0 rout of Kairat the night before, tuned in to watch PSG’s clash. Reacting to Hakimi’s post-match photos on social media, Mbappe commented: “You there, that’s too much, huh.”
Hakimi recently finished sixth in the 2025 Ballon d’Or rankings, and while he admitted pride at being among the top 30 players in the world, he stressed that team trophies remain his priority. “I think about team trophies first, not individual trophies. Sixth is something I’ve never thought about in my life,” he told Canal+.
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The PSG defender also spoke about his close friendship with Mbappe, which began when the Frenchman helped him settle in Paris. “We’re friends beyond football… if there’s something, we talk about it. It’s a real friendship and we will continue to be friends,” Hakimi said.
With both PSG and Real Madrid perfect in their Champions League campaigns so far, another showdown between Hakimi and Mbappe could be on the cards later this season or even at the 2026 World Cup, with Morocco and France both on track for qualification.