Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League dream is still alive, but it now comes with a significant shadow hanging over it. The Achraf Hakimi injury, confirmed on Wednesday following additional medical testing, has ruled the Moroccan right-back out of the second leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich and the fallout extends well beyond next week’s tie in Bavaria.
What Happened to Hakimi in the First Leg?
Tuesday night at Parc des Princes was the kind of football that reminds you why the Champions League is incomparable. PSG edged Bayern 5-4 in a breathtaking first leg, but amid the chaos and the goals, a concerning moment emerged in the second half. Hakimi suffered the injury while contesting for the ball with Bayern’s Konrad Laimer. At the time, it appeared he had simply picked up a bout of cramp — painful but manageable. The physios tended to him, he stayed on the pitch, and Luis Enrique opted not to make a substitution despite having one remaining.
That decision now looks unfortunate in hindsight.
Achraf Hakimi Injury Confirmed: A Muscle Fibre Tear
What was initially considered just a bout of cramp turned out to be a muscle fibre tear. Hakimi underwent further medical testing on Wednesday to obtain an official diagnosis. By midday, French journalist Fabrice Hawkins had broken the news via RMC Sport, and PSG confirmed shortly after. The club confirmed the Morocco right-back sustained a right thigh injury during the first leg and will be sidelined for several weeks.
According to Fabrice Hawkins via RMC Sport, Hakimi has been diagnosed with a hamstring tear, ruling him out of the second leg of the Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich. The verdict was unambiguous. He will not travel to Munich.
Will He Play the Second Leg? Verdict Is Clear
The short answer is no. It has been confirmed that he tore a muscle fibre in his right leg and will definitely miss the second leg, which takes place next Wednesday in Munich. There is no pathway back in time for that fixture. PSG must navigate arguably the most important 90 minutes of their season without one of their most influential players.
Luis Enrique will likely deploy Warren Zaïre-Emery as cover at right-back, and could also bring in Fabián Ruiz to start in midfield alongside Vitinha and João Neves to compensate for the reshuffle.
How Big a Loss Is This for PSG?
Considerable. While Hakimi did not feature prominently in the attacking highlights of Tuesday’s first leg — that honour went to Ousmane Dembélé, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and others — his defensive contribution was quietly essential. The Moroccan became a key player in containing Bayern’s Luis Díaz by constantly pressuring him and matching his explosive speed. Without him in the second leg, Bayern may have far more opportunities to mount a comeback, as the Colombian thrives with his dribbling and pace.
This is also not the first time the right-back has been sidelined against Bayern this season. He missed several weeks earlier in the campaign after damaging his left ankle during a 2-1 loss to Bayern in the Champions League group stage in November. To pick up another significant injury against the same opponents, in the same competition, at an even more critical stage, is a cruel coincidence.
For more on the PSG vs Bayern clash and where to catch the second leg, check out our coverage on PSG vs Bayern Munich Live Streaming: Where to Watch on TV in India, Germany, France and Other Regions?
World Cup Concern But Relief Arrives
The Achraf Hakimi injury carried implications stretching far beyond club football. Morocco’s star defender is a cornerstone of their World Cup 2026 plans, and a serious setback at this point in the season would have sent shockwaves through the national setup. Despite this setback, Hakimi could still return in time if PSG reach the final. With that in mind, the Moroccan is also not expected to risk his participation in the 2026 World Cup, which comes as a major relief for his national team.
The timing of any potential return remains fluid. Recovery from a muscle fibre tear typically takes anywhere from two to six weeks depending on severity, which means a Champions League final appearance on June 1st — should PSG advance — remains a realistic but uncertain prospect.
Also in the injury news from Paris, PSG will be without backup goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier after he picked up a knock in training. Head coach Luis Enrique is expected to call upon Renato Marin as backup, with a youth player filling the third spot.
Injury setbacks have been a theme across European football’s elite clubs this spring — including the recent news around Brazil’s Éder Militão suffering a major injury blow ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026, another reminder of how costly muscle injuries can be at the highest level.
What Happens Next?
PSG head to the Allianz Arena next Wednesday holding a one-goal advantage from the first leg. Bayern, who scored four goals on the night, will not need much encouragement. They know they are capable of turning this around. The absence of Hakimi gives them a concrete target to exploit on the right flank.
Luis Enrique, however, has shown throughout this campaign that he trusts his system over individual names. Zaïre-Emery is athletic, intelligent and capable of handling a high-pressure assignment. But the margin for error in Munich is razor-thin, and the Achraf Hakimi injury leaves PSG exposed in a way they could ill afford at this stage of the competition.
For now, all eyes turn to the second leg and whether PSG’s squad depth is sufficient to hold off a wounded Bayern side hungry for a comeback on home turf.
