It’s no mysterious to avid Real Madrid fans and followers: there isn’t much depth at the full back position. On the left or the right. Fábio Coentrão has been steadily falling out of favor with manager Zinedine Zidane, serving as the backup for Marcelo on the left side of the back line. On the other side, Danilo has struggled to help on defense, scoring two own goals in January. That is why all Real Madrid fans should remember the name Achraf Hakimi because he is the future at full back for Los Blancos.
“Problems at full-back? Achraf. Problems in midfield? Aleix Febas.” That’s what former Real Madrid Castilla manager Luis Miguel Ramis told the media following the injuries of Marcelo and Luka Modric a couple of weeks ago.
Achraf is drawing lots of praise and attention for his performance in the Real Madrid academy, La Fábrica, and with the Real Madrid Castilla team. Manager Zinedine Zidane has kept close tabs on Achraf and his development, going as far as to call up the 18 year-old Moroccan for one of Los Blancos’ legs in the Copa Del Rey against Celta Vigo.
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Goal.com’s Alberto Pinero heaped praise on Achraf saying of the youngster, “ a right-back who loves to get forward, Achraf has often been among the top scorers in his age group despite playing in defense, with his attacking ability stemming from his past as a winger.”
“Excellent at carrying the ball up the pitch and with sound technique, he is also reliable and solid in defense, resembling another La Fabrica graduate, Carvajal, with those qualities. A real jewel.”
Achraf has honing his craft with Los Blancos since he was 10 year-old, when he joined the youth academy. Achraf is also the first Moroccan international to ever play for Real Madrid and he made his debut for the Morocco national team first team when he was just 17.
This is a fast, prolific, two-way player who could become the next Dani Carvajal or Marcelo if he keeps training and performing at this level.
Pinero closes with a quote that I think is perfect, saying, “Achraf Hakimi is a player for the future, but also an option for the present at Real Madrid.”
Let’s hope we are both right on this one.