Moroccan stadium renamed after football sensation Achraf Hakimi

Moroccan football sensation Achraf Hakimi on Tuesday opened a stadium in his mother's hometown renamed after him in honour of his star performance at the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

The 24-year-old attended the public reception at Kasr El-Kebir’s 'Achraf Hakimi Stadium', which saw thousands of fans welcome him back to the city, according to local media reports.

Hakimi was widely recognised as one of Morocco's best players at the World Cup in Qatar, where he helped the Atlas Lions make a historic run to the semi-finals - the first time an African or Arab team has ever reached the tournament’s last four.

"I had the privilege of opening a football stadium bearing my name in Kasr El-Kebir yesterday," Hakimi wrote in an Instagram post on Wednesday.

"I thank the authorities and residents of the city for their support and love to me. It is a great honour to return to this city that has a special place in my heart." 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Achraf Hakimi (@achrafhakimi)

Banners across the stadium praised and welcomed Hakimi, who plays club football for French side Paris Saint-Germain.

The city’s local council said the purpose of the reception was to continue "to celebrate the historic achievement of the Moroccan National Football Team in the Qatar 2022 World Cup".

The council called the reception "a tribute to the high level of football skill shown by this brilliant player".

Hakimi, who plays at right back represented Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, and Inter Milan before joining PSG in 2021.

Though he was born and raised in the Spanish capital Madrid, he chose to represent Morocco, his parents' country of birth.

He scored the winning penalty when Morocco faced Spain in the World Cup round of 16 last month.