Achraf Hakimi (Defender, Morocco)
Age: 19
Club: Real Madrid
International caps: 9
International goals: 1
Dani Carvajal’s fitness issues at Real Madrid last season afforded opportunities at the club to Hakimi, who had impressed Zinédine Zidane when playing with his son, Luca, in the youth teams. The right back impressed so much that Hakimi, who can also play on the left and in central defence, was handed his Champions League debut in the 1-1 draw against Tottenham Hotspur in October.
Born in Getafe, Hakimi could have represented Spain, but his parents are both from Morocco and the Moroccan Football Federation eventually convinced him his future would be better served with them. In Russia, Hakimi faces competition from the more experienced Nabil Dirar but should be