Revealed: Why Achraf Hakimi was left out of PSG squad to face Nantes just seven days before Champions League semi-final first leg vs Arsenal

Paris Saint-Germain, who have already been crowned the champions of Ligue 1, faced Nantes on Tuesday in a league encounter that was pretty inconsequential, drawing 1-1 on the road. However, Hakimi was surprisingly left out from the squad, and the reasons have now been revealed.

According to French journalist Fabrice Hawkins, Hakimi was merely rested by head coach Luis Enrique as part of the Spanish coach's broader strategy to manage his squad’s workload ahead of key upcoming matches. Hawkins confirmed that the Moroccan is not dealing with any injury and that there are no issues between player and coach. The decision is purely to allow Hakimi time to rest in preparation for important fixtures, including PSG's upcoming Champions League semi-final first leg against Arsenal next week and the Coupe de France final against Reims.

PSG could become the first-ever side in the history of Ligue 1 to go an entire league season without losing a single game. Their 1-1 draw against Nantes was their sixth draw of the season. They have won 24 games and are just four games away from creating history.

Les Parisiens will host Nice in a league fixture on Friday, April 25, before travelling to London to take on Arsenal in the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals next Tuesday, April 29.