Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) midfielder Lee Kang-in (24) and his teammate Achraf Hakimi (27) attracted attention with a witty interview.
Hakimi, who started the match, saw PSG reverse defeat 2-3 to Aston Villa in the quarterfinal second leg of the 2024-2025 Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Champions League (UCL) at Villa Park in Birmingham, England, on the 16th (Korean time).
However, despite this loss, PSG advanced to the semifinals. Thanks to their 3-1 victory in the first leg played at home last week, they won with an aggregate score of 5-4 across both legs. It was a step forward for PSG, who have yet to win the UCL.
Hakimi, who started the match and scored the opening goal in the 11th minute of the first half, appeared in a post-game interview with CBS Sports. He received high praise from panelist Micah Richards, a former Manchester City player.
According to Britain's Sports Bible, Richards told Hakimi, "I have been a fan of yours for a long time. Your form these days is really top-notch. You are one of the best right-backs in the world right now," and then asked, "Do you think so too?"
In response, Hakimi coolly replied, "I don't think about that much. It's up to you to judge who is the best, and I just do my job."
However, Hakimi suddenly turned the tables on Richards, asking, "Then who do you think are the two best right-backs in the world?"
Caught off guard by Hakimi's unexpected question, Richards seemed momentarily speechless and stuttered. Hakimi urged him to "speak up," and even Jamie Carragher, who was sitting next to them, chimed in, "Come on, say it. If Hakimi is one of the best, who is the other one?" pressuring Richards.
Richards, awkwardly smiling, took a long time to say, "Uh..." and after contemplating, he finally said, "I like Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)," to which Hakimi replied, "He's a good player," with a smile.
Alexander-Arnold's contract with Liverpool expires this summer. However, local media expect him to leave Liverpool for Real Madrid. Richards also cheekily shouted at Hakimi, "You are number one."
Hakimi commented on the atmosphere of PSG, which advanced to the semifinals despite the loss, saying, "The team atmosphere is quite good right now. We have reached the Champions League semifinals again, and I want to prove that PSG is a big team," adding, "We will fight for every title we can challenge for."
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