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Moroccan football star Achraf Hakimi has shared his honest explanation about his personal reasons behind his decision to represent Morocco instead of Spain, revealing that he never truly felt at ease during his time with Spain.
Appearing on The Bridge podcast with Kylian Mbappé and Aurélien Tchouaméni, the Paris Saint-Germain defender opened up on a choice that continues to be a subject of debate for fans in both countries.
Hakimi explained that Spain approached him on multiple occasions during his time at Real Madrid, but the experience did not feel right on a personal level.
According to the Moroccan international, the club encouraged him to make the decision he truly felt was best for his future. After attending the training camp and testing the environment, he ultimately came away unconvinced.
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“Spain called me several times. I was at Real Madrid. The club told me to do what I felt was right. I went, I tried it, and I didn’t feel comfortable with Spain,” Hakimi said.
He added that family values and a strong sense of identity were just as influential as the sporting factors in his decision-making process.
“I told myself that the most comfortable choice for my career and for my parents was to choose Morocco.”
Hakimi also said that when he made the call, he hadn’t even made it into Madrid’s first team yet. It shows his choice was way more about how he felt personally than just a calculated career move.
“Like Mbappé said, it’s a decision you have to feel. You make it because you know where you’ll feel comfortable. It’s something personal.”
Mbappé, who was part of the conversation, also weighed in on the wider debate surrounding dual-national players choosing between countries.
The French captain insisted that national team allegiance should be based on identity and emotion rather than sporting projects.
“Players should choose early. I was born in France, and I am French. This is not like a club where it’s about a sporting project,” Mbappé said.
Read also: Hakimi Receives Towel, AFCON Trophy Replica as Surprising Gift on The Bridge Podcast
