Kylian Mbappé and Achraf Hakimi will put friendship aside when France and Morocco face each other in the semifinals of the World Cup in Qatar, this Wednesday (14). And both can try to honor a promise they made.
“After we play Morocco, I have to destroy my friend,” Mbappé said on video in January during Paris Saint-Germain’s trip to Qatar.
“I’ll kick him,” replied a smiling Hakimi.
With Mbappé on the left side of France’s attack, he will cross right-back Hakimi, a player he took under his wing when the Moroccan left Inter Milan for PSG in 2021.
One sits next to the other on plane trips. They play video games and vacation together.
While Morocco has no particular plans to mark Mbappé, as England have Kyle Walker at close range and doubled their tackle on him in their 2-1 quarter-final defeat, coach Walid Regragui has complete confidence in Hakimi.
“I have no doubt that Hakimi will be in top form to get the better of his friend,” said Regragui.
Mbappé has scored five goals and provided two assists at this World Cup, while Hakimi has been instrumental in helping Morocco, who have conceded just ten shots on goal in their five appearances.
Hakimi celebrated the winning penalty against Spain in the round of 16 by imitating a penguin, something he does with Mbappé and Sergio Ramos at PSG.
Mbappé, who also visited Hakimi at his hotel in Doha on one of his World Cup breaks, was among the first to congratulate him as Morocco qualified for the quarter-finals.
France captain Hugo Lloris is confident their friendship will be put to rest at the Al Bayt stadium in Al Khor.
“The event will dominate. Even if you’re friends off the field, it’s the World Cup, so you separate the two,” he said.
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