Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane hints at more playing time for budding Arab star Achraf Hakimi

Sport360 staff 14:35 03/10/2017
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  • Zinedine Zidane insists he has no concerns over giving 18-year-old Achraf Hakimi regular playing time in the first team.

    The Moroccan made his debut for Real Madrid in their 2-0 win over Espanyol at the Bernabeu on Sunday.

    Hakimi made history as he became the first Arab to feature in the first team for Los Blancos in the La Liga encounter.

    The defender was only called upon though because Dani Carvajal was sidelined with a virus that has infected his heart wall but Zidane claims he will continue to play the youngster as long as the Spaniard is unavailable.

    “He was outstanding,” Zidane said after Hakimi’s impressive debut.

    “Achraf has shown that he can play and I am not scared to throw him in going forward.”

    “He is the second-choice right back and so if Carvajal is not available, he can play”.

    Hakimi’s next outing could be for Morocco in their World Cup qualifier against Gabon.

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