Achraf Hakimi isn't just a fast right-back anymore. He's officially part of the furniture at the Parc des Princes, and the record books finally reflect that. After PSG's recent Champions League quarter-final clash against Liverpool, the Moroccan international hit 55 European appearances for the club. That number sounds modest until you realize he just pushed Ángel Di María and Edinson Cavani out of the top five list of PSG’s most-capped players in Europe.
It’s a massive shift in the club's hierarchy. For years, the Parisian project relied on a revolving door of superstars. Hakimi is different. Since he showed up from Inter Milan in 2021, he’s been a constant. While other big names came, took their checks, and left, Hakimi stayed, ran thousands of kilometers, and evolved into the best modern full-back on the planet. Read more on a related issue: this related article.
Breaking into the Parisian elite
The list Hakimi just joined is basically a Hall of Fame for the QSI era. To climb this high, you don't just need talent; you need durability. You have to stay fit and keep your spot through multiple managerial changes. Hakimi has done exactly that.
Here is how the top of the European appearance list looks right now for PSG: Additional analysis by NBC Sports delves into comparable perspectives on the subject.
- Marquinhos: 119 appearances
- Marco Verratti: 79 appearances
- Kylian Mbappé: 64 appearances
- Thiago Silva: 60 appearances
- Achraf Hakimi: 55 appearances
Overtaking Cavani and Di María—two guys who define the "classic" successful PSG era—is no small feat. It’s even more impressive when you look at his offensive output. This season, only Michael Olise has managed more assists in the Champions League than Hakimi’s five. He isn't just showing up; he's running the show from the right flank.
The evolution of the modern full-back
Most people think of Hakimi as a track star who happens to play football. That’s a lazy take. His game has changed. Under the current system, he’s essentially a secondary playmaker. He isn't just overlapping to whip in crosses anymore. He’s tucking into midfield, dictating the tempo, and finding gaps that most "defenders" wouldn't even see.
If you look at the all-time list of goal involvements for defenders in the Champions League, Hakimi is hunting down the greats. He’s currently sitting on 27 goal involvements. The only names ahead of him are Roberto Carlos, Dani Alves, and Marcelo. That’s the tier he belongs in now. Honestly, if he stays in Paris for the duration of his contract through 2029, he’s going to shatter every record for a defender in this competition.
Why Hakimi stayed when others left
There was a lot of talk a couple of years ago about Hakimi potentially heading back to Madrid or trying the Premier League. He chose to sign an extension instead. Why? Because he’s become the "veteran" of a new, younger PSG.
He reached 200 total appearances for the club earlier this month against Toulouse. He’s only 27. Most players hit their peak around this age, but Hakimi has been playing at a world-class level since he was 19. The experience he brings to the dressing room is basically the glue holding the defense together. Marquinhos is the captain, sure, but Hakimi is the engine.
What the numbers actually tell us
It’s easy to get lost in the "55 appearances" stat, but the consistency is what’s scary. Hakimi has maintained a starting rate of over 90% since he arrived. In a club known for drama and frequent injuries to star players, he’s been the one reliable factor.
- Durability: He rarely misses games through muscle injuries despite his explosive playstyle.
- Versatility: He’s played as a traditional right-back, a wing-back, and even a makeshift winger when the team was thin.
- End product: Nine goal involvements in a single European campaign is a record-equaling feat for a defender.
What happens next for the Moroccan star
PSG is currently up by two goals heading into the return leg against Liverpool. If they go deep this year—or even win it—Hakimi’s stock goes from "great" to "immortal." He’s already brought a Champions League trophy to Paris, but cementing himself in the top five appearance makers proves he’s a legacy player.
Don't expect him to slow down. With his contract locked in and his role in the team more defined than ever, he’s likely to pass Thiago Silva’s 60-game mark by early next season. After that, Mbappé’s 64 isn't far off.
If you're watching PSG these days, stop looking at the strikers for a second. Watch how Hakimi times his runs. Watch how he covers for the center-backs when they get caught out. That’s where the real value is. He’s not just a "fifth most-capped" player; he’s the foundation of everything they’re building for the future.
Track his stats over the next few European nights. He’s likely to add another couple of assists before the season ends, further closing the gap on Dani Alves and Roberto Carlos. If you haven't bought into the Hakimi hype yet, you're running out of time.
