Former Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo teammate Achraf Hakimi names his pick for the greatest player of all time

The GOAT debate has always been controversial. Fans and experts often disagree on who deserves the title. During this decade, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have dominated the conversation. Both players built incredible careers and broke countless records. Many players who shared the field with them also joined the debate. Achraf Hakimi is one of them. He recently revealed his choice for the best player in soccer history.

In an interview with Foot Mercato, Achraf Hakimi took part in a dynamic challenge. He had to select specific traits to create the ideal player. He chose Lionel Messi’s left foot and Cristiano Ronaldo’s right foot. Then, he picked his own speed. He added the physical strength of Sergio Ramos and the dribbling ability of Kylian Mbappe. He also highlighted the intelligence of Isco. However, the real surprise came when he named his pick for the GOAT.

Achraf Hakimi chose Cristiano Ronaldo as the greatest player of all time. His answer came as a surprise. Although he played with both, he spent more time on the pitch with Lionel Messi on Paris Saint-Germain. When he played for Real Madrid, Cristiano was still there. However, Hakimi did not start many games during that time.

Despite spending more time on the field with Lionel Messi, Hakimi developed at Real Madrid’s youth academy. As a result, his love for the club has always come to the fore. He grew up admiring Cristiano Ronaldo, and that shaped his career. However, this does not mean he lacks respect for Messi. In fact, he once described playing alongside the Argentine star as ‘a dream’.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Achraf Hakimi of Real Madrid train during a training session ahead of their UEFA Champions League Group H match against Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley Stadium on October 31, 2017 in London, England.

How many games did Achraf Hakimi play with Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid?

Achraf Hakimi officially debuted for Real Madrid on October 1, 2017. He came through the club’s youth academy. He played 17 matches with the first team. He shared the pitch with Cristiano Ronaldo only eight times. Even, they never managed a joint goal contribution.

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Real Madrid’s coach at the time, Zinedine Zidane, did not rely on him. Instead, he often kept Hakimi on the bench or left him out of the squad. As a result, the club decided to transfer him to Borussia Dortmund. There, Hakimi unlocked his full potential. He impressed with consistent performances. That success led to a move to Inter Milan in 2020.

How many games did Achraf Hakimi play with Lionel Messi at Paris Saint-Germain?

Achraf Hakimi joined Paris Saint-Germain in 2021 after a successful spell with Inter Milan. In the same transfer window, Lionel Messi also arrived at the club. The two stars played together frequently and shared the field in 59 matches across all competitions. However, they only connected for one goal during that time.