Morocco international Achraf Hakimi has set sights on winning the 2025 Ballon d’Or award following a standout performance last season.
Hakimi delivered a top-class performance last term, helping Paris Saint Germain to secure a remarkable treble. The French giants triumphed in the las campaign, winning the UEFA Champions League, Ligue 1, and Coupe de France.
He scored 11 goals and registered 16 assists, contributing significantly towards the success of the club in the 2024/25 season.
The former Real Madrid and Inter Milan right-back joins eight of his teammates on the Ballon d’Or shortlist which was recently released. Hakimi believes his goal scoring feat as a defender count more in the Ballon d’Or race.
“There aren’t many players that have scored in the quarter-final, semi-final, and final as a defender, where it is more difficult. People think that I’m a forward or a midfielder, but I play in a back four and I have to think about defending. That is more difficult. The statistic that I had this year aren’t those of a normal defender. I think that, when a defender does that, he deserves more than a forward,” Hakimi told Canal Plus
He added, “If I have the possibility of winning it, I think I deserve it.” Whilst Hakimi has clearly set his sights on winning the Ballon d’Or, another of PSG’s nominees, Vitinha, has leant his support to Dembélé.
