The distressing image of Achraf Hakimi

Luis Diaz's aggressive challenge resulted in a serious injury to Achraf Hakimi, who left the pitch crying and now faces the possibility of missing the entire season and the 2026 World Cup.

In the early hours of November 5th, Parc des Princes witnessed a heartbreaking moment as Achraf Hakimi collapsed after a brutal tackle from behind by Luis Diaz during the match PSG lost 1-2 to Bayern Munich in the Champions League group stage. In injury time of the first half, the Moroccan defender was dribbling down the right wing when Diaz slid directly into his leg, causing his ankle to twist unnaturally.

Hakimi immediately burst into tears from the pain and was stretchered off amid supportive applause from the crowd. Referee Maurizio Mariani initially showed a yellow card, but after VAR review, the decision was upgraded to a straight red card for the Colombian player. Slow-motion footage revealed the severity of the collision, sending chills through many viewers.

On social media, fans and experts alike expressed deep concern for Hakimi. Initial reports suggest his ankle injury could sideline him for a prolonged period, with a high risk of missing the entire season. What worries Moroccan supporters the most is the possibility that the 27-year-old defender could miss the 2026 World Cup — a tournament where he is expected to be the backbone of the national defense.

The former Real Madrid and Dortmund player suffered the injury on his birthday. The image of Hakimi crying as medical staff helped him off the field silenced the Parc des Princes stands. For PSG, this loss is even more severe as Ousmane Dembele had already left the pitch at the 25th minute due to a recurring injury.

On the other side, Luis Diaz became the focal point of the match, both hero and villain. The Colombian forward scored twice at minutes 4 and 32, giving Bayern a 2-0 lead, but his foul at the end of the first half led to his sending off, overshadowing his earlier impressive performance.

In the second half, despite having a numerical advantage, PSG could only reduce the deficit to 1-2 thanks to Joao Neves’ goal in the 74th minute. This defeat marked the capital club’s first loss in this season’s Champions League, while Bayern maintained their winning streak and took the top spot in the group.

French media reported that PSG will conduct thorough medical examinations on Hakimi within the next 48 hours to determine the exact extent of the damage. However, given his intense reaction on the field, many experts fear he could be out for at least 6 to 8 months.

If this proves true, PSG will lose one of their key players, and the Moroccan national team will face a major setback in their preparations for the 2026 World Cup. The incident that brought Hakimi to tears may become one of the most haunting images of this Champions League season, where the joy of victory was eclipsed by the pain of injury.