Borussia Dortmund fans were hit with an episode of nostalgia this week as former players Erling Haaland and Achraf Hakimi came together for a brief reunion on the field.
Haaland's Norway were in action against Hakimi's Morocco as the World Cup participants engaged in a friendly match in Harrison, United States on Monday.
Both the former Dortmund aces started for their respective national teams before getting subbed off in the second half.
Neither player truly made an impact, failing to score or assist as the duel ended all square at 1-1; Brahim Diaz's eighth-minute goal for the Atlas Lions was canceled out by Martin Odegaard after 75 minutes.
Hakimi was the first to go off as the marauding full-back was subbed after 63 minutes whereas Haaland was recalled to the bench just eight minutes later.
While the two did come across each other on the field during the game, it was only before and after the full-time whistle that Haaland and Hakimi shared a warm embrace that surely struck a chord with the BVB faithful.
There was absolutely no love lost between the former Dortmund teammates, who exchanged a few words too before leaving the pitch, perhaps wishing each other the best of luck for their upcoming World Cup campaigns.
The duo shared a productive on-field relationship at Dortmund although it lasted barely six months after Haaland's arrival in January 2020 as Hakimi left for Inter Milan later that year.
The stars played together for only 17 games together: 14 in the Bundesliga, two in the Champions League and one in the German Cup; while they combined for two goals: Hakimi assisting Haaland in their 4-0 win over Mainz and in a 2-0 win over Werder Bremen, both coming in the league.
With Morocco and Norway locking horns for the first time since their World Cup encounter in 1998, this was obviously the first meeting between Haaland and Hakimi on the international stage. However, they have faced each other on one other occasion since leaving Dortmund.
In January 2025, PSG and Manchester City clashed in the league phase of the Champions League with the Parisians winning 4-2. Both Hakimi and Haaland were on the field, with the latter even scoring City's second goal.
At the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Hakimi and Morocco face Brazil, Haiti and Scotland in Group C whereas Haaland's Norway are up against France, Senegal and Iraq in Group I.
It will be interesting to see who makes it farthest in the competition.
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