Achraf: “It would be a dream to return to Real Madrid as soon as possible”

Achraf has returned to Spain since his season ending injury in late February. He had an excellent first half of the season with Borussia Dortmund, which included a Champions League match in Madrid against Atletico, where he produced a hat-trick of assists. Dortmund’s dip in form at the turn of the new year also meant a dip in form for Achraf. Despite the inconsistent start to the second half of the season, the Morrocan’s year abroad will be looked at as a resounding success. He played, started, and proved himself in the Bundesliga as well as the Champions League — playing in tough environments like the Allianz arena, the Wanda Metropolitano, and Wembley. Madrid could not ask for a better loan experience for their 20-year-old fullback.

In an interview with Movistar+, Achraf assured that he is ready to have a place in Real Madrid’s squad, “It would be a dream to return to Real Madrid as soon as possible. It would be a lie to say no. We will see what happens in the future”. The deal agreed upon between Dortmund and Madrid was a 2 year loan deal, but Achraf has now expressed his desire to return sooner.

The young fullback went on to profess his love for the club. “I am a Madridista, and although I am not there, I always follow Madrid. It has been a complicated year for them, but Madrid has the capacity to return. It’s the best club in the world. They are in a rut right now, but they are going to get out of it!” he assured.

When asked about the decision to go to Germany, Achraf related his experience to Real Madrid’s current right back, Dani Carvajal. “Ever since I received the offer from Dortmund, I thought that I could have a situation similar to Carvajal: go on loan and return having matured and having learned what was necessary”, the fullback commented.

The interview concluded with Achraf’s thoughts on his experience and his current injury, “ I think the decision to leave on loan was correct, because I am very young and needed to play. Right now, I am a little more reserved after my injury. I have been afraid that I am not going to be the player I was before, but little by little that fear is leaving me. I am going to try to be even better than before”, Achraf concluded. As Zidane prepares his squad for the upcoming year, he has a list of loanee’s from which he must decide to either keep, sell, or loan out once more. The three stand-outs this year have been Raul De Tomas, Martin Odegaard, and Achraf Hakimi himself. There is yet to be any clarity around the future of those players, but Zidane will be the one to decide— the same man who promoted Achraf from Castilla during his first term in charge.