Achraf Hakimi, the captain of the Moroccan national team, has found himself at the center of a significant wave of criticism across social media platforms following the elimination of the "Atlas Lions" from the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup, where they suffered a defeat against the French national team with a score of 2-0. The right-back for Paris Saint-Germain delivered a disappointing performance on the night of elimination, finishing at the bottom of player ratings according to the sports statistics website Sofascore, which ignited outrage among fans who had placed their hopes on him to lead the squad effectively.
Hakimi and Díaz Under the Microscope
In a video shared on his Instagram account, Moroccan content creator Abderrazak Al-Jamahi expressed his dissatisfaction, stating, "The worst Moroccan player in the World Cup is a tie between Hakimi and Ibrahim Díaz. I always feel that Hakimi has let me down; yes, he is the best professional in the history of Moroccan football, but what has he contributed to the national team?" Al-Jamahi's remarks highlight a broader sentiment among fans, who feel that despite Hakimi's individual accolades, his contributions on the international stage have not met expectations.
He further criticized Hakimi's insistence on taking every set piece, describing him as the weakest player in aerial duels and implying that fans deserve to see the same level of performance from him with the national team as they do with Paris Saint-Germain. His performance was characterized as "lacking effort," leading fans to express their frustration with his level of play.
In a similar vein, many Twitter users voiced their discontent with Ibrahim Díaz's performance, stating that he had left a "huge question mark" regarding his contributions in this World Cup. Some called for his exclusion from the starting lineup in future matches, indicating a growing impatience among supporters for players who can make a significant impact.
Calls for a Leadership Review
The lackluster appearance of the captain has sparked serious calls from fans to reevaluate the leadership hierarchy within the national squad. There are widespread demands for the coaching staff to muster the courage to strip Hakimi of the captaincy. One user on X expressed a wish that the coach would have the audacity to remove the armband and entrust set pieces to another player, labeling Hakimi as "one of the worst players in the team during this tournament." This sentiment was echoed by many, who agreed that true leadership qualities—spirit, enthusiasm, and the ability to rally teammates during critical moments—seem to be absent from Hakimi, suggesting that the captaincy should be awarded to someone more capable of guiding his colleagues in tough situations.
Despite the storm of criticism directed at him, the Moroccan national team's journey in the 2026 World Cup came to an end after a commendable tournament where they demonstrated solid performances and results, successfully advancing through the group stage and continuing steadily to the quarter-finals. However, the high expectations set by their historic achievement in the 2022 Qatar World Cup, where they reached the semi-finals, have left Moroccan sports fans dissatisfied with anything less than a repeat of that success. This sentiment explains the considerable disappointment over the perceived underperformance of key players who were expected to make a difference in crucial matches.
As reported by aljazeera.net.
