Mbappe and Hakimi's Imperishable Bond of Friendship
Mbappe and Hakimi have proved that battling each other fiercely on the pitch for the glory of their countries does not necessarily mean sacrificing their genuine friendship.
By
M YUNIADHI AGUNG AND M IKHSAN MAHAR from Doha, Qatar
·5 minutes read
AFP/FRANCK FIFE
French striker, Kylian Mbappe, helps his best friend, Moroccan defender, Achraf Hakimi, stand up after the end of the 2022 World Cup semifinal match at the Al-Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar, Thursday (15/12/2022) early morning WIB. The match was won by France, 2-0..
DOHA, KOMPAS – Kylian Mbappe and Achraf Hakimi showed the genuineness of their friendship as France defeated Morocco 2-0 in their 2022 World Cup semifinal match at Al-Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, early morning on Thursday (12/15/2022) Western Indonesia Time (WIB). While bringing France closer to defending its championship at Morocco’s expense, Mbappe nevertheless remained humble toward his best friend, Hakimi.
Soon After Mexican referee Cesar Ramos blew the final whistle, Hakimi dropped on the ground in dejection at the failure to continue the Moroccan "fairy tale" at Qatar 2022. Mbappe was the first to approach Hakimi.
The Les Bleus striker crouched down to cheer up Hakimi. After talking around 15 seconds, Mbappe grabbed Hakimi's hands, inviting him to stand up. Overwhelmed with sadness, however, Hakimi he seemed to prefer being left alone instead of responding to Mbappe’s sympathy.
Hakimi did not join his teammates or managers, who hugged and consoled each other in a circle on the sidelines. The right back, who was born in Madrid, Spain, still did not move.
On the other side of the pitch, Mbappe elatedly shook hands and hugged all French players and managers, including coach Didier Deschamps, before he went back to Hakimi. The two talked for another 40 seconds or so, embraced, and then swapped their jerseys.
Mbappe and Hakimi were the only opposing players to exchange their national team jerseys on the pitch at Al-Bayt Stadium. Now donning a Morocco jersey, Mbappe rejoined the French squad to take a lap of victory to the stadium’s north stand, filled with Les Bleus supporters.
Don't be sad, bro. Everyone is proud of what you did. You made history. @achrafhakimi.
On the other hand, Hakimi, now wearing Mbappe’s jersey, joined the Lions of Atlas to acknowledge the Moroccan supporters who had cheered them on raucously throughout the game.
"Don't be sad, bro. Everyone is proud of what you did. You made history. @achrafhakimi," Mbappe posted to Instagram, with a picture of himself hugging Hakimi.
Another moment also occurred during the game that demonstrated the two players’ strong bond of friendship. Hakimi was seen approaching his Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) teammate when the match entered the 57th minute. Mbappe had fallen because of a tackle by a Moroccan player, and Hakimi went over and helped him back up.
Roommate
Mbappe and Hakimi have built a close relationship at PSG since the 2021-2022 season. When it was rumored at the start of the 2022-2023 season that Mbappe had a bad relationship with his two striking partners, Neymar Jr and Lionel Messi, Hakimi was reportedly who Mbappe turned to talk to.
They shared the same room on the team's away tour. Hakimi was always the first player to celebrate Mbappe's goal for Les Parisiens. He also provided assists for two of Mbappe’s PSG goals this season.
Given that they are of the same age, with both born in 1998, the pair have no barriers in their emotional bond.
AP/MANU FERNANDEZ
French striker, Kylian Mbappe, hugs his best friend, Moroccan defender, Achraf Hakimi, after the end of the 2022 World Cup semifinal match at the Al-Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar, Thursday (15/12/2022) early morning WIB.
Their closeness was evident after Morocco beat Spain in the round of 16, when Mbappe visited the hotel where Hakimi was staying. Hakimi also wrote on Instagram, “See you soon bro @KMbappe,” after watching France beat England in the quarterfinals.
During the 90-minute match between France and Morocco, Kompas observed at least five moments when the two were in direct confrontation. Positioned in the same playing zone, a duel between the two was inevitable. The first came when the match had only entered the opening minute, when Hakimi intercepted Antoine Griezmann's pass to Mbappe.
In the fifth minute, Hakimi's failure to close Mbappe's maneuvering space led to France's first goal, courtesy of Theo Hernandez. Hakimi's intercept attempt, by getting down to the ground for the ball, came up short this time, allowing Mbappe enough space to send a decisive cross.
Another of Hakimi's failed attempt at cutting off Mbappe’s lighting moves again turned disastrous for the Lions of Atlas. That moment came in the 79th minute, when Mbappe beat Hakimi into the Moroccan penalty box.
Mbappe’s shot at goal was blocked, but substitute striker Randal K. Muani was in the right place to flick home the swerving ball for France's second goal. The goal affirmed the defending champion’s victory beyond all doubt, and France will now face challenger Argentina for the 2022 World Cup trophy.
Mbappe and Hakimi have proved that battling each other fiercely on the pitch for the glory of their countries does not necessarily mean sacrificing their genuine friendship. What they have shown seems to be in stark contrast to the relationship between Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney. Then playing for Manchester United, the two developed a tenuous relationship following their confrontation in a Portugal-England match at the 2006 World Cup.
If he (Mbappe) wins the World Cup this year, I'm happy. He will deserve the title of the 'new Pelé.
Mbappe hopes that Hakimi will find solace from his disappointment by defeating Croatia in the match for third place on Saturday evening (17/12). As for Hakimi, he wishes his best friend success in the last push to create history for France by winning back-to-back World Cup titles.
Like Hakimi, Morocco coach Walid Regragui also offered his support for Mbappe in the World Cup final against Argentina. He said Mbappe could become the new icon of world football.
"If he (Mbappe) wins the World Cup this year, I'm happy. He will deserve the title of the 'new Pelé'," Regragui said at Al-Bayt.
