In the frenetic world of elite football, friendships are tested by transfers, rivalries, and the pressures of winning. The question are Mbappé and Hakimi still friends carries weight: these two once inseparable stars shared locker rooms and the spotlight at PSG, but Mbappé’s move to Real Madrid and Hakimi’s position as a key figure at PSG have raised eyebrows. Today, let’s join IndiGoal to dig into their relationship — what’s real, what’s performance, and where this bond stands in 2025.
The Origin Of A Bond In Paris
When Achraf Hakimi arrived at PSG in 2021, he entered a squad already anchored by Kylian Mbappé. For Hakimi — a multilingual, ambitious fullback joining from Inter Milan — assimilation was critical. In interviews, he’s said Mbappé helped him adapt: “When I arrived in Paris, I didn’t speak French… Kylian (Mbappé) helped me out.” Their on-field chemistry grew fast, and their off-field rapport followed.
Over the 2021–2024 seasons, they built not only a tactical synergy — Mbappé cutting in, Hakimi overlapping — but also a visible friendship. Their bond was visible in celebrations, social media, and shared downtime. In short: their origin story was not built overnight; it was forged through collective ambition in Paris.
What Changed With Mbappé’s Departure?
Mbappé’s eventual transfer to Real Madrid inevitably introduced distance — literal and symbolic. Distance can strain connection, especially when club rivalries enter. But the question is: did it break them?
Professional rivalry enters the mix
Ahead of a Club World Cup semifinal pitting PSG against Madrid, Hakimi publicly acknowledged the tension:
“Mbappé is my friend, but each one defends his team.”
Friendship remains, but priorities shift when 90 minutes separate you. Sportsmanship doesn’t cancel out competition.
Personal support endures
Despite club divides, the two remain close in other arenas. They’ve been seen vacationing together (for example at concerts in Puerto Rico) and even training together during the off-season. Hakimi calls their link “a natural friendship… we’re friends beyond football, there are no issues between us, and if something’s wrong, we talk it out.”
So, even if their on-field objectives diverge, their interpersonal bond shows signs of resilience.
The Public Moments That Speak Volumes
Football fans often judge friendships by what they see — interviews, social media, and gestures. Below are some recent moments that suggest just how real their connection remains.
| Date / Context | Event | Interpretation |
| October 2025, Champions League night | Mbappé commented on Hakimi’s post: “Oye, this is too much, eh.” | Warm, playful reaction — suggests familiarityess. |
| Mid-2025, training / vacation saw them together | They trained together away from club duty | Reinforces that their bond isn’t just club-dependent. |
| Club World Cup 2025 | Pre-match remarks clarify: “He’s my friend… but we defend our teams.” | The tension of proximity in rivalry acknowledged, but boundaries respected. d. |
These glimpses don’t prove an unbreakable bond, but they do suggest that their friendship has been preserved in the face of challenges.
Complications And Tests
Friendship in elite football is rarely simple; beyond club rivalry, there are also scandals, legal matters, and public scrutiny.
Hakimi’s legal case and Mbappé’s support
Hakimi is currently under a legal cloud stemming. Reports indicate that Mbappé testified in Hakimi’s defense, describing him as respectful and “very close” as a friend. That willingness to step publicly into a sensitive arena is a strong indicator that Mbappé sees their bond as real.
Conditions in public interviews
Even as Hakimi remains supportive, he sometimes hedges: he omitted Mbappé from his “All-Time XI” and said Mbappé would be included when he wins a Ballon d’Or (i.e., a condition). It’s a competitive metric, and one could interpret it as playful bravado or mild distancing.
Pressure of new surroundings
Mbappé’s rise in Madrid and Hakimi’s anchoring role in PSG mean they now live in worlds that don’t always overlap. Their daily routines, media demands, and social circles inevitably differ. Some friendships endure the distance; others drift.
So — Are Mbappé And Hakimi Still Friends?
Yes — albeit with caveats. Their friendship has shown resilience despite club rivalry, physical distance, and external pressure. But it is no longer as unguarded or seamless as it once. On-field competition and public roles demand they balance loyalty with professionalism.
● They maintain private connection: training together, vacations, mutual support.
● They acknowledge rivalry: in crucial matches, they defend their clubs first.
● They’ve faced complicated circumstances: legal issues, public debate, conditional statements.
The result? A mature, evolving bond, not one unchanged by the shifts of elite football.
Why Fans Care: More Than Just Gossip
Understanding are Mbappé and Hakimi still friends matters to fans for several reasons:
- Human side of stars: They’re not just players — they’re personalities with loyalties, feelings, and conflicts.
- Team chemistry & morale: Friendship can fuel on-field understanding or provoke tension in rivalries.
- Narrative & media: Matches involving Madrid vs. PSG are richer when subplots — like their shared history — exist.
- Role model for loyalty: In a world where friendships often collapse under club politics, theirs is a case study.
IndiGoal believes that tracking relationships like this brings you closer to the pulse of modern football — not just goals and assists, but the stories behind them.
Final Thoughts
Are Mbappé and Hakimi still friends? Yes — though their friendship has transformed. What once was a seamless brotherhood shaped by shared lounge rooms and joint conquests now balances loyalty to team and to each other. In 2025, they coexist as rivals, allies, and friends — imperfect but enduring.
If you found this exploration insightful, don’t stop here. Dive deeper:
- Tell us which football friendships you want us to unpack next
- Share this article if your friends debate whether rival stars can stay close
- Stick around on IndiGoal — we’ll track whether this bond tightens or frays in future clashes
The drama continues.
