Mustapha Hadji: Achraf Hakimi is Morocco’s greatest player by a wide margin

Mustapha Hadji believes Achraf Hakimi is the greatest player in the history of Moroccan football, with Yassine Bounou the only other current figure close to him.

The former Morocco international said Hakimi stood “far ahead” of every other Atlas Lions legend, despite the country having produced a long list of outstanding players.

“Yes, Hakimi is the best player in the history of Moroccan football by a wide margin over any other player,” Hadji said in a filmed interview with Koora, which will be published later. “He is very far ahead of the others.”

Hadji also described the Paris Saint-Germain defender as an example for young Moroccan footballers and placed Bounou second in his personal ranking.

“​​Hakimi is a role model for Moroccan youth on the pitch,” he added. “I see him at the top of the list, with Yassine Bounou second, and then the rest come a long way behind them.”

Hakimi has made 103 appearances for Morocco in all competitions, the second-highest total in the national team’s history. Only former captain Nourredine Naybet, with 115 caps, has played for the Atlas Lions more often.

Bounou is third on the list, having represented Morocco 99 times.

Hakimi’s standing has also been strengthened by his achievements at club level. He won the 2025 African Player of the Year award and is competing strongly for the same honour in 2026.

He has also collected a number of major European honours with the clubs he has represented, including three Champions League titles.

When asked where he ranked among Morocco’s greatest players, Hadji responded with a laugh: “No, I am far from that.”

Hadji, who was one of Morocco’s best-known players during his international career, therefore placed himself well below the two current stars in his assessment of the national team’s greatest footballers.

The Morocco national team is listed for an Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixture against Niger on 13 November 2026.