French journalist Hervé Penot has thrown his full support behind Achraf Hakimi as the standout candidate for the 2025 African Ballon d’Or, arguing that the Moroccan full-back’s contributions to Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League success far outweigh those of his rivals — including Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Le Site Info, the L’Équipe correspondent made a compelling case for Hakimi, praising the PSG defender’s form, tactical intelligence, and crucial role in one of the club’s most successful European campaigns to date.
“Last year, I said Lookman deserved the Ballon d’Or, but this year, for me, it’s Hakimi,” Penot declared. While acknowledging Salah’s “exceptional season in the Premier League,” he stressed that the Liverpool star’s individual brilliance was not enough to eclipse Hakimi’s decisive impact on both the domestic and continental stages with PSG.
Penot pointed specifically to the Champions League as the decisive factor tipping the scales in Hakimi’s favour. The Moroccan international was instrumental in PSG’s run to the title, scoring in each of the club’s quarter-final, semi-final, and final victories.
His performance in the Coupe de France final, where he again found the net, only reinforced his importance to Luis Enrique’s setup.
“Hakimi is a key player for PSG; he’s been phenomenal,” Penot said. “He scored in the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final of the Champions League, not to mention his goal in the Coupe de France final. He’s still there — always decisive.”
Beyond the raw numbers, Penot highlighted Hakimi’s versatility and tactical maturity as elements that elevate him above other candidates. He described the Moroccan defender as a perfect embodiment of Luis Enrique’s footballing philosophy: fluid, intelligent, and adaptable across multiple roles.
“He’s a player capable of changing positions according to the team’s needs. He even played up front in certain phases of play,” Penot noted. “His understanding of space, his timing, and his ability to contribute both defensively and offensively make him indispensable.”
The 25-year-old Atlas Lion has not only excelled statistically, but also in his influence on PSG’s collective rhythm and balance. As a constant presence on the right flank — and sometimes in more advanced areas — Hakimi has consistently demonstrated a rare blend of pace, composure, and decision-making under pressure.
Although Salah’s performances for Liverpool have been, in Penot’s words, “nothing short of extraordinary,” especially in terms of goals and assists, the journalist maintains that collective success must play a central role in awarding the Ballon d’Or.
PSG’s Champions League triumph, combined with Hakimi’s starring role, makes the difference.
“We can’t forget what Salah has done this season — he’s been brilliant — but for me, the best African player of the year is Hakimi,” Penot concluded.
As anticipation builds ahead of the announcement of the 2025 African Ballon d’Or, the debate between Hakimi and Salah is set to intensify. But if Hervé Penot’s analysis is anything to go by, the Moroccan full-back may already be a step ahead in the race for African football’s most prestigious individual honour.
