Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi has issued a light-hearted but firm message to his former teammate Lionel Messi ahead of their highly anticipated clash in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup Round of 16.
The match will see PSG go head-to-head with Inter Miami on Sunday, setting up a reunion between the Moroccan international and the Argentine legend, who shared a dressing room during Messi’s stint at the French club.
Speaking to ItalPress, Hakimi reflected fondly on their past but made it clear that friendship will be set aside once the whistle blows.
“It would be nice to meet Messi again. There were many beautiful moments,” Hakimi said (via 101 Great Goals). “We will see who we play against but then, on the pitch, there are no friends.”
“He will try to win and we will also try to win. We will give everything to try to pass to the next round,” he added.
