Paris Saint-Germain’s Achraf Hakimi was sent off in the 35th round of Ligue 1 against Ajaccio’s side on May 14, after a scuffle broke out between players.

The situation occurred in the 76th minute when Lionel Messi was knocked to the ground after a strong collision with an Ajaccio player.

Hakimi and Marquinhos immediately rushed to protect their Argentine teammate, with Hakimi pushing Thomas Mangani in the moment of losing his temper and receiving a red card. After reviewing the slow-motion video, the referee also showed a red card to Mangani for hitting back.

Hakimi had just completed a one-match suspension for two yellow cards against Lorient and will now be suspended for two more games due to the direct red card.

Despite his absence, PSG secured a jubilant 5-0 victory at home thanks to a double from Kylian Mbappe, goals from Hakimi, Fabian Ruiz, and an own goal from Mohamed Youssouf.

Messi, who was fortunate to avoid injury, continued to play until the final whistle, leaving an impression with 86 touches of the ball, two passes that created chances, and three shots.

The win re-established a six-point gap between PSG and Lens in the championship race, with only three rounds left in the Ligue 1 2022/23 season.

The incident involving Hakimi and Mangani highlights the intensity and passion of top-level football matches, where players will do everything they can to protect their teammates and achieve victory.

While Hakimi’s temper got the better of him on this occasion, his commitment to the team and his fighting spirit will undoubtedly continue to serve PSG well in future matches.

As for Messi, his continued presence on the pitch despite the physical challenge he faced is a testament to his resilience and determination and bodes well for his future performances with PSG.

With the Ligue 1 title still up for grabs, fans can look forward to an exciting end to the season, with PSG hoping to secure their eighth championship in nine seasons.