Achraf Hakimi has been cleared to play in Saturday’s Champions League final against Arsenal at Budapest’s Puskas Arena, PSG coach Luis Enrique confirmed, with Nuno Mendes and Ousmane Dembélé also declared fit. Hakimi missed the run-in after a right-thigh muscular problem sustained in the dramatic 5-4 semifinal win over Bayern Munich but is now available and expected to head into the summer World Cup with Morocco.
Hakimi declared fit for Champions League final
Luis Enrique confirmed on the eve of the final that Achraf Hakimi will be available to face Arsenal at the Puskas Arena in Budapest. The fullback’s return restores a key attacking option for Paris Saint-Germain at a decisive moment, reversing concerns after a late-season muscle issue kept him out of several matches.
Injury timeline and recovery
Hakimi picked up muscular fatigue in his right thigh during the first-leg semifinal, a 5-4 thriller in Paris against Bayern Munich. He provided an assist in that game but was forced to miss the second leg in Munich and the final rounds of Ligue 1 while recovering. PSG’s medical staff managed his rehab carefully, and Enrique’s confirmation signals the club believes he’s ready for the demands of one-off finals.
Complementary fitness: Mendes and Dembélé
Luis Enrique also reported that Nuno Mendes and Ousmane Dembélé are fit and expected to be involved. Having both wing options available gives PSG tactical flexibility—Mendes for width and defensive balance, Dembélé for direct dribbling and inside movement—allowing Enrique to shape a game plan tailored to Arsenal’s strengths.
How Hakimi’s presence changes PSG’s approach
Hakimi is not just a right-back; he is a primary attacking fulcrum who stretches defenses with overlapping runs and diagonal passes. His availability forces Arsenal to account for more sustained pressure on their left flank and can create space for midfield runners and forwards.
From a tactical perspective, PSG can push a fullback higher without sacrificing transition cover, especially if Mendes and midfielders track back effectively. That balance matters against Arsenal, a side that thrives on quick counters and positional rotation under Mikel Arteta.
Enrique’s assessment of Arteta and the opposition
Enrique praised Mikel Arteta’s work, noting Arsenal’s Premier League title as evidence of a coherent project. That acknowledgement underlines the stakes: two managers with complementary philosophies—PSG’s star-driven fluidity versus Arsenal’s structured pressing—battling for Europe’s top prize.
What this means for Morocco and the World Cup
Hakimi’s fitness is significant beyond the final: he is expected to represent Morocco at the 2026 World Cup. A clean bill of health coming out of this match reduces risk ahead of a summer tournament in which Morocco will face Brazil, Scotland and Haiti in the group stage. Monitoring his minutes in Budapest will be critical for both PSG and the Moroccan coaching staff.
Match details and what to watch
Date: Saturday, May 30 | Kickoff: 12 p.m. ET | Venue: Puskas Arena, Budapest, Hungary Key matchups: Hakimi vs Arsenal’s left-sided attackers; PSG’s midfield control versus Arsenal’s transitional speed; set-piece opportunities from both sides.
Final take
Hakimi’s availability is a timely boost for PSG and a tactical headache for Arsenal. It’s a classic selection dilemma for Luis Enrique: start a full-strength side to chase the title or manage minutes to protect recovery for the World Cup.
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Either way, his presence raises the quality and balance of PSG’s attack, and the decision will be one of the defining subplots of a high-stakes final.
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