Luis Enrique labelled Paris Saint-Germain's hat-trick hero Achraf Hakimi "the best right-back in the world" after his stunning individual display against Le Havre on Friday.
Hakimi had a hand in all five of PSG's goals during their 5-1 win at Stade CMA CGM Oceane, with their triumph moving them two points clear at the top of Ligue 1.
Mika Godts quickly cancelled out Josh Maja's 18th-minute opener before Senny Mayulu carved open the Le Havre defence to tee up Hakimi to complete the turnaround.
PSG flexed their muscles after the break, with Hakimi's second-half goals coming either side of Mayulu's strike, which the Morocco international also got the assist for.
Hakimi's fine display saw him become only the second player to be involved in five goals (three goals, two assists) in a single Ligue 1 match since Opta began analysing the competition (2006-07), joining the likes of Neymar, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Edinson Cavani, Kylian Mbappe and Carlos Eduardo in doing so.
He is the first defender to achieve the feat over that period, having never been involved in more than two goals in a Ligue 1 game in 135 appearances before facing Le Havre.
In fact, ahead of Friday's triumph, Hakimi had failed to register a single goal involvement in his first seven appearances in Ligue 1 this season. However, he now has the joint-most goal contributions in PSG ranks in the league in 2026-27, level with Ferran Torres.
"Hakimi is the captain. We know his qualities perfectly. He's more of a striker. He plays higher, he has this ability to make calls and deliver assists," Luis Enrique said of Hakimi.
"He's clearly a striker when we have the ball. And when we don't have it, everyone is a defender. He's the best right-back in the world.
"But I'm not particularly excited to see him score three goals. What I like is seeing him constantly at the highest level, always ready. It means a lot to our team."
PSG have now won each of their last nine matches in all competitions, their second-longest winning run under Luis Enrique after a run of ten between January and March 2025.
With Ousmane Dembele and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia both out injured, the PSG boss elected to rest the in-form Desire Doue, with Mayulu and Godts taking their chance.
Godts has been involved in three goals in his last two games for PSG in all competitions (two goals, one assist), after only managing one of his first seven (one assist v Lille).
Mayulu, meanwhile, scored and assisted in a Ligue 1 match for just the second time in 57 appearances, after December 2025 (one goal, one assist v Rennes). The PSG forward has also found the net in two consecutive top-flight games for the first time.
But it was also a special occasion for Luis Enrique. The Spaniard claimed his 127th win in charge of PSG in all competitions, becoming the coach with the most victories with the French giants and surpassing Laurent Blanc (126).
"I never thought about that. The only thing I've said since I arrived is that I want to make history at PSG," Luis Enrique said of his achievement. "I want to continue to make history.
"I'm lucky to be in the best club in the world, with a sporting direction and a president. It's an incredible city. I want to enjoy it and continue to try to improve our level."
jamabkmos
0
Its true