Expert Predicts How Long He’ll Be Out For

Achraf Hakimi was left in ‘tears’ after suffering a horror injury during Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League tie with Bayern Munich. The defender was fouled by Luis Diaz right before the half-time break, with the former Liverpool man subsequently sent off.

Diaz had already scored twice for Munich at the German side raced to a 2-0 lead, before he was sent off. Joao Neves pulled one back for PSG in the second half, but the game ended 2-1 to the away team.

The night, however, was very much marred by the awful foul on Hakimi. It took a VAR review, but referee Maurizio Mariani was left with little choice after watching back the incident on the pitchside monitor. Footage of Diaz’s tackle showed the full-back’s ankle rolling under his rival’s leg as he slid in from behind.

Luis Diaz Slammed For Awful Foul on Achraf Hakimi

Journalist Leo Ashci was among those to condemn the tackle, writing online: “Terrible images of Achraf Hakimi in tears, forced to leave the pitch due to injury after a dangerous tackle by Luis Diaz. There is cause for serious concern for the Moroccan, with just a month and a half to go before the start of the Africa Cup of Nations.”

On a similar note, journalist Zach Lowy wrote: “This is one of the most reckless tackles I’ve ever seen. Luis Díaz may very well have ended Achraf Hakimi’s season…and the prime of his career. What on earth is he doing?”

Hakimi was actually celebrating his 27th birthday, but it will be a day to forget for the wingback, who is now likely set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines, having also seen his team lose.

Injury Expert Provides Update on PSG’s Hakimi

According to trusted social media injury expert Physio Scout, the early signs aren’t good for Hakimi. They wrote on X: “Brief look as I’m currently at work, but Hakimi’s injury looks to be in risk of an ankle syndesmosis injury, likely a fracture component too, as he couldn’t put weight on his leg. I’ll have a thorough look tomorrow morning, but looks like an extended recovery. Looked awful. Hope for the best.”

A day later, additional information was provided. “Achraf Hakimi had to come off in PSG’s clash vs. Bayern Munich with a lower leg injury. Eversion + external rotation mechanics suggest syndesmosis damage. Hakimi’s inability to weight-bear raises concern for a fibula (± tibia) fracture. A good chance this is a fibula fracture + high-grade ankle sprain injury.

“In the case there is a tibia fracture, this would prolong recovery insignificantly. This type of scissor tackle is also sometimes associated with an MCL injury due to the valgus force at the leg. However, the bigger concern is an ankle injury,” they wrote before adding, “Wishing the best for Hakimi in his recovery. Extremely nasty injury.”

PSG boss Luis Enrique also spoke about Hakimi’s injury in the aftermath of the French side’s 2-1 defeat. “We have to wait until tomorrow after the tests to know about the players’ injuries,” he said, per RMC Sport. “For Ousmane [Dembele], it has nothing to do with the previous one.

It remains to be seen if the 27-year-old – widely regarded as one of the best defenders in world football – will recover in time to take part in the Africa Cup of Nations at the end of the year.