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Meknes – Former Moroccan international Badou Zaki has come to the defense of Achraf Hakimi following Morocco’s 2026 FIFA World Cup exit against France, dismissing claims that the defender’s post-match smile showed indifference.
In the immediate aftermath of Morocco’s exit from the tournament, a footage of Hakimi sharing a brief laugh on the pitch went viral on social media.
The footage quickly drew backlash from frustrated fans, some of whom criticized the defender for appearing too cheerful despite the painful defeat.
Zaki explained that Hakimi’s smile was merely a professional courtesy, serving as a polite mask to shield the intense heartbreak and frustration he was feeling on the inside.
In a recent media appearance, Zaki addressed the controversial footage directly, urging fans and pundits to offer solidarity and comfort to the squad rather than jumping to harsh conclusions.
“I watched the video. Sometimes you laugh when you are crying blood on the inside. That is why, instead of consoling Hakimi and the Moroccan national team who gave their absolute all on the pitch and gifted us beautiful matches and memorable evenings, we shouldn’t be turning on them at a moment like this,” the former international said.
He went on to explain that maintaining professional sportsmanship on the pitch often requires keeping up appearances, even in the face of a heartbreaking defeat.
“And then we focus on a specific moment and see Hakimi laughing. But how can I, for example, go and shake hands with the French players while frowning? The player is smiling, but deep down, he is harboring immense anger,” Zaki added.
Although a 2-0 defeat to France ended Morocco’s 2026 FIFA World Cup journey in the quarterfinals, their historic run firmly cemented the Atlas Lions’ status as a true powerhouse in global football.
