Achraf Hakimi is the player most deserving of the 2025 Ballon d’Or, according to former Morocco national team coach Hervé Renard, who has publicly backed the Paris Saint-Germain defender to claim the prestigious individual honour.
With the award season drawing near and speculation mounting, a range of names have emerged as potential contenders. While many within football circles have tipped French winger Ousmane Dembélé as a leading candidate, Renard has firmly thrown his support behind Hakimi, pointing to the Moroccan international’s outstanding campaign at both club and international level.
“Achraf Hakimi is one of the best players in the world today,” said Renard, speaking to Foot Mercato. “For me, he’s the Ballon d’Or winner this season. He’s been exceptional, consistent, and decisive in all his performances.”
Renard’s endorsement is rooted not just in admiration but in firsthand experience. The French manager coached Hakimi during his time at the helm of the Moroccan national team and has long been a vocal supporter of the player’s talent and professionalism.
Hakimi, 26, enjoyed a standout season with Paris Saint-Germain, playing a pivotal role in the club’s Champions League triumph. As a right-back, his contributions went far beyond the defensive third—offering blistering pace, creative distribution, and critical goals in high-stakes matches.
His consistent impact throughout the European campaign has sparked conversations about the possibility of a defender winning the Ballon d’Or, a rarity in the award’s history.
Traditionally dominated by attacking players, the Ballon d’Or has seldom recognised defenders, with only a handful—most notably Fabio Cannavaro in 2006—ever securing the title. Renard’s remarks suggest a shift in perception may be due, with Hakimi’s performances challenging the typical mould of an award recipient.
While Dembélé’s flair and attacking numbers have made him a strong candidate, Renard maintains that Hakimi’s influence, versatility, and consistency over the course of the season set him apart.
“He’s not just a full-back. He’s a game-changer,” Renard added. “In every key moment, he’s been there for PSG—whether it was breaking open a tight match or shutting down the opposition’s best players.
That kind of reliability and brilliance deserves recognition.”
As the Ballon d’Or shortlist takes shape, debates are intensifying within the football community. Supporters, pundits, and former players continue to voice their preferences, with Hakimi’s name now gaining notable traction thanks to Renard’s public endorsement.
While it remains to be seen whether voters will heed such calls, Hakimi’s inclusion among the frontrunners marks a significant milestone for African football and for defenders aiming to break into a traditionally forward-focused honour roll.
The official shortlist for the 2025 Ballon d’Or is expected to be announced in the coming months, with the ceremony itself promising to fuel ongoing discussions around the award’s evolving criteria and the players who best represent footballing excellence this season.
