Achraf Hakimi, right-back for Paris St-Germain and the Moroccan national team, will be out of action for “several weeks” due to a serious sprain to his left ankle.

This injury poses a significant concern for the Atlas Lions coach Walid Regragui as the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations approaches, marking the first time the tournament is held in North Africa since 1988.

The event is set to commence in less than seven weeks on December 21.

The 27-year-old player suffered the injury during Tuesday’s Champions League match against Bayern Munich, leaving the field in tears during first-half stoppage time following a reckless tackle from Luis Diaz.

In the wake of the incident, Diaz was dismissed after a Video Assistant Referee review.

Hakimi played a crucial role in Morocco’s journey to the semi-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup and helped secure qualification for the 2026 World Cup with an undefeated record.

Currently, he is among the ten nominees for this year’s African Footballer of the Year Award and is considered a leading candidate for this esteemed accolade.

Additionally, he was named in the 2023 Fifpro World XI.

PSG confirmed the news regarding Hakimi’s injury on their website Wednesday afternoon.

Manager Luis Enrique termed the injury as “bad luck” following the match.

“Such is football, as it involves contact,” he remarked, recalling the leg injury suffered by Bayern’s Jamal Musiala during a previous encounter between the same clubs in July.

“It’s regrettable because it complicates things for the players, but I remember Musiala’s injury this summer, which was just another instance of unfortunate luck.”

Bayern’s coach Vincent Kompany added, “The primary concern is for Hakimi’s swift recovery.”

“What can be said? The intensity was incredibly high.

“It’s an unfortunate occurrence, and such things can take place. He had no intention of causing harm.”