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Achraf Hakimi excluded from Champions League team of the season despite strong performance
via Le Matin2 min read
Achraf Hakimi, captain of his team after Marquinhos' exit and scorer of a decisive penalty in the Champions League final against Arsenal, was excluded from the competition's team of the season by UEFA. This decision has been met with surprise given the Moroccan international's European campaign. His statistics include 13 appearances, 1,154 minutes played, 1 goal, 7 assists, an 89.54% pass success rate, 21 successful tackles, and 43 balls recovered. He also averaged 10.45 kilometers per match and reached a top speed of 37 km/h. These figures suggest a significant influence in both offensive play and defensive balance, surpassing several full-backs included in the team of the season despite their greater playing time. In contrast, Marcos Llorente, preferred over Hakimi, recorded 14 matches, 1,151 minutes played, 4 goals, only 2 assists, a 90% pass success rate, and 10.14 kilometers covered per match. Hakimi clearly outperforms Llorente in creativity with seven assists compared to two, while also demonstrating a more pronounced impact in transitions and PSG's forward play. A semi-final injury against Bayern Munich might partially explain UEFA's decision, as his absence reduced his presence during the competition's climax. Beyond the sporting aspect, Hakimi's exclusion from the team of the season also raises questions about the representation of African players at the highest European level. Despite an impressive record and top-tier performances, no African representative was inc
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Le Matin.
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