The second semi-final night to win the remaining ticket to the World Cup championship match saw the competition between Mbappe and Hakimi, who are close teammates at club level.

In a video produced by beIN Sports in January this year, Mbappe along with Hakimi predicted that Les Bleus would fight the “Lion Atlas” in the 2022 World Cup.

“We are at the Education City stadium in Qatar. 40,000 people can come here to watch France vs Tunisia. I hope the home team will win. Then we will play Morocco and I will have to ‘destroy’ my friend,” Mbappé said, turning to Hakimi beside him.

In response, Hakimi replied, “I will defeat you”. Mbappe added: “That would break my heart a little bit, but you know, that’s football. Everything has to happen like that.”

The words between the two players accidentally predicted the current situation. And the football fans are very excited, looking forward to this confrontation.

While Kylian Mbappe is currently one of the most expensive players in the world and an important element of the “goloa roosters”, Achraf Hakimi is also the greatest hope of the Morocco team, the spiritual pillar. solidity of the whole team.

The beginning of the friendship between Mbappe and Hakimi stems from the same age, the same interests. Photo: PSG Talk.

Close friendship

Mbappe and Hakimi are teammates in the same shirt playing for PSG club (France). Both were born in 1998, one’s birthday is only a month away from the other.

They have gradually become close since Hakimi joined PSG from Inter Milan in July last year. Outside of the same age, they share a common interest in music and playing video games. When traveling with the whole PSG team, the two male players often sit next to each other and chat and tease each other.

Mbappe helped his new friend to the club learn French. Another time, during the Muslim Eid Mubarak this year, the two made a commemorative video in which Hakimi invited Mbappe to taste typical dishes of the Arab community.

The two also accompany each other on trips. The media once caught the two of them going to have lunch and visit together in Madrid (Spain), the city where Hakimi grew up.

Mbappe and Hakimi when meeting in Qatar for the 2022 World Cup. Photo: Kylian Mbappe.

“It’s easy to play with a player like him. Pass the ball to Mbappe, you know for sure he will make good use of it and make the difference,” the Moroccan defender said of his friend.

On the pitch, Mbappe and Hakimi sometimes perform a pre-rehearsed celebration called the “penguin” dance every time they score against the opponent, within the framework of Ligue 1 (French National Football Championship). ).

When he made a successful shot against Spain, sending the home team to the quarterfinals, Hakimi made a similar celebration.

Expected confrontation

In September, Mbappe and Hakimi had a conflict at PSG. Marca published a video showing Mbappe shouting to his close friend: “Have you watched the slow-motion phase? Must pass the ball to me”.

Hakimi didn’t seem to protest. He replied: “I see. I’m sorry”.

Immediately, the 23-year-old spearhead shouted: “Sorry is not enough, you have to pass the ball to me”. However, after this, Mbappe and Hakimi made peace and maintained a good relationship until now.

Mbappe’s joke at the beginning of the year with Hakimi accidentally came true at the end of the year, when the two faced off on different “front lines” in the World Cup gold cup race. Photo: talkSport.

“Kylian Mbappe will face close friend Achraf Hakimi in this World Cup semi-final” is the headline of many articles when the match between France and Morocco is about to take place.

On December 11, Hakimi sent a message to his best friend on his personal page, after the results of the quarter-finals were decided. “See you soon, my friend,” the Moroccan player expressed his excitement at the prospect of competing with his PSG teammate.

Mbappe did not comment on the appointment of a close friend. Previously, in a line shared on December 7, the 23-year-old striker congratulated Hakimi and Morocco on winning the right to continue in the next round.

This time, the Moroccan defender’s task is to prevent Mbappe from shining. Meanwhile, Mbappe, who is leading the scorer of the tournament, will have to overcome Hakimi, who contributes to the best defense of the 2022 World Cup. The Morocco defenders have only conceded a goal at the tournament once. match this year (because they own their own).