Paris Saint-Germain are facing growing concerns over Achraf Hakimi’s fitness ahead of next weekend’s UEFA Champions League final against Arsenal, with the Morocco international still unable to fully return to team training.
The French champions are continuing preparations for the showdown at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest on Saturday, May 30, but doubts remain over whether Hakimi will be fit enough to start for Luis Enrique’s side.
According to L’Equipe (via CaughtOffside), Hakimi is now increasingly unlikely to start the Champions League final after once again missing a key part of PSG’s preparations.
The Morocco international did not feature in an internal training match involving squad players over the weekend and instead continued with individual work as he recovers from a thigh issue.
Hakimi’s absence would be significant, as he is far more than a regular full-back for PSG.
He is one of their most dangerous attacking outlets, particularly when surging down the right flank and linking up with forwards.
His speed, recovery ability, and timing in attack make him a vital asset, meaning even a place on the bench would still represent a setback for Luis Enrique if he is not fit enough to start.
Concerns around his condition are not new. Hakimi has already missed PSG’s Champions League semi-final second leg as well as their final four Ligue 1 fixtures, underlining that this is not a minor problem that has quickly cleared up.
While reports indicate he is making progress, the final may ultimately arrive too soon for him to be ready for the starting XI.
Should he be ruled out of the lineup, Warren Zaïre-Emery could be deployed at right-back, with Fabián Ruiz potentially stepping into midfield.
Meanwhile, Ousmane Dembélé is another player being closely monitored ahead of the final.
The French winger also missed the internal session, although his situation appears more encouraging.
He recently experienced calf discomfort in the match against Paris FC but has publicly stated that he expects to be fit for the final.
Reuters reported that PSG had planned treatment for the issue, while Luis Enrique suggested it could be related to fatigue.
