Zinedine Zidane to keep Moroccan international Achraf Hakimi

Real Madrid players Achraf Hakimi (L) and Protuguese Cristiano Ronaldo (R) in action during the team's training session at Valdebebas sport city in Madrid, Spain, 22 September 2017. Real Madrid faces Alaves FC on 23 September 2017 in a Primera Division Liga match. EPA/Rodrigo Jimenez

by Phumzile Ngcatshe

Monday May 21, 2018. 13:00

Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has assured that Moroccan international Achraf Hakimi will stay put with the Spanish La Liga giants.

Zidane has rubbished reports that the Moroccan will leave the Spanish team ahead of next summer's transfer window.

Mundo Deportivo wrote in April that Hakimi did not feel comfortable in his position in the team and showed some inaccuracies, especially in defence.

However, Zidane said Hakimi will play next season in 20 to 25 games for the club.

“Achraf Hakimi, Borja Mayoral and Marcos Llorente have to play ’20 or 25 games’ next year to continue their development,” said the Frenchman.

“One year here, playing less and training with those who do play, isn’t a lost year. They have improved a lot, they have had minutes and each player expects to play more.”

Furthermore, the Atlas Lions international has managed to make the list of Moroccan players who will play in Russia in June for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Herve Renard’s men will play their first game against Iran on June 15. Their second game will be against Portugal on June 20 before facing Spain on June 25.