Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi has revealed that his departure from Real Madrid was not his choice but the club’s decision.

Speaking after PSG’s dominant 4–0 victory over Real Madrid in the Club World Cup semi-final on Wednesday at the MetLife Stadium, Hakimi addressed his past with the Spanish giants.

 “It wasn’t my decision. It was not me. They were the ones who decided to let me go,” Hakimi told TouchlineX during his post-match interview.

PSG secured their place in the final thanks to goals from Fabián Ruiz (2), Ousmane Dembélé, and Gonçalo Ramos, cruising past Xabi Alonso’s Madrid side.

Hakimi, a Real Madrid academy product, was sold to Inter Milan in 2020, where he spent one season before joining PSG in 2021. Since then, he has become a key player in Paris, helping the club to several domestic titles and a UEFA Champions League crown.