Black Stars defender, Gideon Mensah points out Achraf Hakimi as his toughest opponent
1st July 2025
Ghanaian defender Gideon Mensah has opened up on which player he has had a tough time playing against as a professional footballer as he picks out Paris Saint Germain and Morocco star Achraf Hakimi as the toughest opponent.
The Auxerre left-back has faced the Moroccan several times in the French Ligue 1 and admits he is the most difficult to defend as he deem the former Real Madrid full-back as the most proficient at his position.
Hakimi is widely regarded as the best right-back in the world at the moment, starring in PSG's treble winning campaign in the just concluded 2024-2025 domestic and continental season.
"Obviously, Hakimi is someone, you don't know how to defend him and don't know how to attack him because he has the speed and he is also playing with a team that always has the ball, so the energy is always there. He is always going, and going so playing against Hakimi has been very difficult. Sometimes before the game, if he is not playing I am always happy," he told Sporty FM.
The former WAFA, Red Bull Salzburg and Vitoria SC lateral also acknowledged other opponents he believes put in some good work but go under the radar because they are not big names in the league.
"There are few ones that are not too known but like I said you play against players that are really hungry and they are not going to give you the space and these are names that are not big in the league but then they have their moments and when the moment is there you can't stop them," he continued
"But the toughest one is Hakimi and not because he is the most skillful player but he has mastered the position so it is easy for him," the former Bordeaux and Zulte Waregem defender added.
The Black Star defender starred in the recent outing with the national team at the Unity Cup when he captained the side in the third place play-off game against Trinidad when substantive captain, Jordan Ayew was subbed off and as he led the team to finishing in a 4-0 victory. He also assisted Lawrence Agyekum in the game as the 21 year old grabbed his debut national team goal after just two games.