Ghanaian international Gideon Mensah has shared his experience of playing against Paris Saint-Germain and Moroccan star Achraf Hakimi, describing the encounter as one of the most difficult challenges he has faced in his career.
The AJ Auxerre left-back, who has come up against Hakimi multiple times in the French Ligue 1, praised the right-back’s exceptional quality, speed, and understanding of the game. According to Mensah, defending against the PSG full-back is a real test for any defender.
“Facing Hakimi is extremely tough. You don’t know how to defend against him, and you don’t even know how to attack when he’s on the pitch,” Mensah said in an interview with Sporty FM. “He’s incredibly fast and plays for a team that dominates possession, so he’s always full of energy and constantly on the move. When I hear he’s not playing before a game, I feel relieved.”
Hakimi played a key role in PSG’s treble-winning season and is widely considered one of the best right-backs in world football today. His consistent performances have earned him recognition for mastering the demands of his position.
Mensah also spoke about other lesser-known players in the league who, despite lacking the fame of players like Hakimi, still present serious challenges on the field.
“There are a few players who aren’t well known, but they’re very hungry. They won’t give you any space, and when they get their chance, they make it count. These aren’t big names in the league, but their moments of brilliance are difficult to stop,” he explained.
He concluded by reaffirming Hakimi’s status as his toughest opponent—not necessarily due to flashy skills, but because of his complete understanding of his role on the field.
“He’s not the most skillful player, but he’s mastered his position. That makes all the difference,” Mensah added.
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