Achraf Hakimi Tops List of Fastest Full-backs in Champions League

Rabat – Achraf Hakimi has been identified as the fastest full-back in the 2025–26 UEFA Champions League, according to a report published on February 17 by the CIES Football Observatory.

The Paris Saint-Germain right-back reached a recorded top speed of 36.4 km/h during this season’s European matches, placing him first among players in his position still involved in the competition.

Hakimi’s speed stands out even when compared with attacking players. During the current Champions League edition, his peak sprint has been measured at around 36.9 km/h, allowing him to edge past renowned sprinters such as Erling Haaland (36.6 km/h) and Kylian Mbappé (36.4 km/h) in certain match data samples.

Achraf Hakimi has scored in 4 of his last 5 knockout matches in the Champions League 🤯 pic.twitter.com/08nyssywUm

— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) February 18, 2026

Key weapon in Luis Enrique’s PSG system

Under coach Luis Enrique, Hakimi’s pace has become central to PSG’s tactical structure. The Moroccan international often plays a hybrid role: starting at right-back but regularly moving into midfield or high attacking zones to stretch defenses and create overloads.

That versatility makes him a huge part of PSG’s attack. He’s basically a cheat code on the wing, using that incredible recovery speed to shut things down in defense before immediately charging forward to join the rush.

Hakimi’s influence is not limited to sprint metrics. He just scored a decisive goal last night in PSG’s 3–2 win over AS Monaco in the Champions League playoff round.

In the 2025–26 campaign so far, he has contributed 1 goal and 3 assists in 6 Champions League matches. Looking at the broader recent European cycle, he also finished the 2024–25 campaign with 4 goals and 5 assists in 17 Champions League appearances.

These performances add to a strong run of individual recognition for Hakimi. The 27-year-old won the 2025 African Player of the Year award, finished sixth in the 2025 Ballon d’Or rankings, and was named among FIFA’s The Best Men’s XI for 2025, confirming his status as one of the world’s top players, not just a full-back.

Between his world-class speed, tactical flexibility, and the way he consistently delivers in Europe, Hakimi is proving he’s the full package. He’s legitimately one of the most well-rounded right-backs in modern football.