Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappé has landed in Rabat, Morocco, with his family to support longtime friend and former Paris Saint-Germain teammate Achraf Hakimi during the Africa Cup of Nations.
The French forward arrived on 25 December 2025, accompanied by his parents and younger brother Ethan, taking advantage of a brief holiday break before resuming club training on 29 December. According to French outlet L’Équipe and multiple Moroccan sources, Mbappé accepted a personal invitation from Hakimi to attend Friday’s Group A clash between hosts Morocco and Mali at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
The pair forged a strong bond during their three seasons together at PSG from 2021 to 2024, often seen celebrating on the pitch and sharing off-field moments that transcended club rivalries—even during the 2022 World Cup semi-final when France eliminated Morocco. Hakimi, recently recovered from an ankle injury sustained in November, is expected to feature prominently as Morocco aim to build on their opening 2-0 victory over Comoros.
Reports also suggest PSG winger Ousmane Dembélé, another close associate of Hakimi and the 2025 Ballon d’Or winner, may join in the stands for a Morocco match, further highlighting the Atlas Lions captain’s connections in European football.
Morocco currently top Group A with three points, following Mali’s 1-1 draw with Zambia. A positive result against Mali would edge the hosts closer to the knockout stage in a tournament they are favoured to win on home soil—their first AFCON title since 1976.
Mbappé’s presence adds star power to an already glamorous event, boosting visibility for AFCON 2025 and underscoring the enduring friendships that define modern football.
