Achraf: I wanted to face Neymar but Zidane was right to go with Nacho LaLiga - Real Madrid Discusses his breakout season and the future with MARCA

It has been a hell of a breakout season for Achraf Hakimi, capped by his first goal for Real Madrid, a regular place in the Moroccan national side, and now surely a trip to the World Cup.

In Russia he is expected to line up against club teammates Cristiano Ronaldo, Sergio Ramos and Dani Carvajal as Spain, Portugal and Iran make up the North Africans' group.

But it was Neymar who he really wanted to take on, when Carvajal was suspended for Los Blancos' Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain, as he reveals when talking to MARCA in Casablanca.

Does Spain's 6-1 win over Argentina make them a more daunting prospect ahead of the World Cup?

"No, we don't care that they won. We know how good Spain are, they are a great team and we have to respect them a lot because they are a world champion. In any case, we'll try to give them a match."

Do you think Morocco are prepared to surprise people in Russia?

"We plan on a good World Cup to give our people joy. We hope to get out of the group, which won't be easy but that is our goal."

You have a very different role in the national team compared to Madrid. Do you notice that there is more calm and less pressure in the Morocco style?

"I feel a little more important here, also because of the fans' affection and the continuity I get in the line-up. I am happy with the coach's confidence, but when I play at Madrid I also try to do my best and I am happy there. I am young and I want to learn."

There was a chance you would face PSG, but Nacho got the call instead. Was that a disappointment?

"Not at all. I didn't know if I was going to play or not. The coach decided to put Nacho in and he did well, and I am happy that we qualified for the next round. I am here to help whenever the coach asks me to, be that in a match or whenever."

True, but it is the sort of night that makes a young prospect a veteran. Marking Neymar in the Champions League is no small thing.

"I would have liked to mark Neymar but the coach did the right thing in playing Nacho."

Now Real have Juventus. Maybe you will have the opportunity to play, in what would also be a great night?

"We know it will be a tough match. Whoever plays will play, they will do well and our goal is to reach the next round."

Do you think you will be at Madrid next season, or will you look to leave for more game time?

"I always see myself playing for Real Madrid. I am a lifelong Madridista and I hope to stay for many years."

Do you talk about the World Cup in the Real dressing room?

"Yes, sometimes we joke about it but we are calm. There is still so much left and we are focused on what lies ahead."

Do you worry about facing Ronaldo and Portugal? They are European champions.

"A little bit when the group was drawn, but we put it to one side because we are concentrated on the club."

And Isco scored a hat-trick for Spain!

"I'm very happy for Isco. He is a great player who deserves it. I hope that he doesn't score three goals against us, that it isn't his day, but for now I am happy for him."

Then there is Carvajal, another Madrid academy player. Would you say that he is your reference in the dressing room?

"Yes. For me he is an example to follow because he is an academy graduate like myself. Now he is the first-choice and the best right-back, for me. I try to watch everything he does and learn from him, because I love how he plays."

Your country is fighting to host the 2026 World Cup. Many Madridistas could come and cheer for you. What would it mean?

"We would love to hold it, with our fans. We would be very proud to welcome everyone here. Not only Real fans but people from all over the world. I hope it becomes reality."