According to a report by French newspaper L’Équipe, pessimism is growing within Paris Saint-Germain regarding Achraf Hakimi’s availability for the upcoming UEFA Champions League final against Arsenal on May 30.
The Moroccan flying full-back sustained an injury during the first leg of the semi-finals against Bayern Munich. While initial assurances suggested he would recover in time for the final—or, at the very worst, be ready for the 2026 World Cup—his rehabilitation has hit a standstill.
Missed Inter-Squad Friendly Raises Alarms
To maintain match fitness ahead of the final, PSG manager Luis Enrique organized an internal friendly match on Saturday. However, Hakimi was once again unable to participate, as his recovery remains incomplete.
The latest medical updates indicate that the high-stakes clash against Arsenal might come too soon for the defender. At best, Hakimi is expected to start on the bench, with the club’s staff deeply reluctant to risk a relapse that could rule him out of the World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Tactical Alternatives and Dembele’s Status
Should Hakimi be officially ruled out, L’Équipe notes that Luis Enrique is highly likely to deploy Warren Zaïre-Emery as a makeshift right-back, which would open up a starting spot for Fabián Ruiz in the midfield.
On a brighter note for the Parisian side, Ousmane Dembélé is widely expected to be fit for the final showdown. Although Dembélé also missed Saturday’s internal friendly, his recovery timeline looks significantly more promising than his Moroccan teammate’s.
