Not Hakimi: Unexpected Arabic Star Shines in Ligue 1 Team of the Week

Sofiane Diop, the skilled Moroccan midfielder, made it into L'Équipe's Ligue 1 Team of the Week after his great performance in Nice's 2-1 win against Strasbourg in Round 12. Even though Achraf Hakimi wasn't playing, Diop's selection shows how much he's improving on the field.

Diop, 24, gave the important assist that helped Nice tie the game in the 54th minute. This is part of his comeback after being out for almost a year because of a serious foot injury. Looking back at that tough time, Diop told Get French Football News, “The injury helped me grow. Now, I'm ready to start a new part of my career.”

Diop has already made appearances in nine Ligue 1 games and four Europa League games this season, scoring two goals and dishing out three assists. Nice's remarkable form, which portends a bright future, is largely due to his consistency and inventiveness.