Written by: Qusay Ahmed
The Moroccan national football team received a major blow before the start of the World Cup finals, scheduled to be held in North America, after it was confirmed that its international star Ashraf Hakimi would be out for several weeks due to injury, just 42 days before the start of the tournament.
Hakimi's absence raises concerns ahead of the World Cup
The Paris Saint-Germain defender suffered a right thigh injury during the final minutes of his team's match against Bayern Munich, in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final, which took place on Tuesday evening.
According to medical reports, the coaching staff was unable to substitute the player during the match due to the lack of an alternative at that time, which forced Hakimi to complete the match until the final whistle despite the injury, which may have contributed to worsening his condition.
Sources within the Parisian club confirmed that the player will undergo an intensive treatment program during the coming weeks, and his condition will be assessed periodically to determine when he can return to the field.
Hakimi is expected to miss the anticipated second leg on May 6, while predictions indicate a race against time to be fit for the potential final on May 30, should the French team qualify.
Paris Saint-Germain had achieved a thrilling 5-4 victory over Bayern Munich in the first leg, but Hakimi's absence from the return leg could give the German team a relative advantage, especially given the player's importance both defensively and offensively.
The injury to the Moroccan star is causing great concern within the Moroccan national team's coaching staff, given the approaching start of the World Cup, where the Atlas Lions are scheduled to begin their journey in the tournament with a tough match against the Brazilian national team on June 13.
Hakimi is one of the mainstays of the Moroccan national team, given his extensive experience and consistent performance at the international level, which makes his potential absence a significant blow to the team's ambitions in the tournament.
The picture is expected to become clearer in the next few weeks, as the player's medical condition continues to be monitored, amid hopes from fans that he will be able to recover in time and participate in the global event.
