Achraf Hakimi and Yassine Bounou have been named among the nominees for the 2025 Ballon d’Or awards, with the Moroccan duo earning recognition for their exceptional performances over the past season.
The shortlist, revealed on Thursday by France Football, places Hakimi among the 30 candidates for the men’s Ballon d’Or, while Bounou makes the ten-man list for the Yachine Trophy, awarded to the world’s best goalkeeper.
Hakimi’s inclusion comes after a glittering campaign that saw him claim multiple titles with Paris Saint-Germain, including the Champions League, Ligue 1, French Cup and French Super Cup.
He also played a key role in Morocco’s bronze medal triumph at the 2024 Olympics and contributed significantly in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
The 25-year-old right-back impressed on the global stage at the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, where PSG reached the final.
In the tournament, he scored twice, provided two assists, and delivered a commanding defensive display, cementing his status as one of the most complete full-backs in modern football.
Hakimi faces competition from high-profile names such as Ousmane Dembélé, Lamine Yamal and Raphinha of Barcelona, Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, and Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé.
His nomination is notable as defenders rarely feature prominently in the race for football’s most prestigious individual accolade.
Oscar Maya of the Spanish Press Agency believes Hakimi deserves a place in the top five, praising his decisive influence in Luis Enrique’s tactical setup at PSG.
Sports analyst Mehdi Kessoua echoed that view, noting Hakimi’s growth in both technical and tactical aspects, as well as his ability to contribute offensively while fulfilling his defensive duties.
Former Spain goalkeeper Santiago Cañizares went further, stating on a television programme that Hakimi “deserves the Ballon d’Or” based on his remarkable consistency and impact throughout the season.
French international Jérôme Rothen also voiced support on DAZN, saying that awarding the prize to Hakimi would be fully justified.
Meanwhile, Yassine Bounou is shortlisted for the Yachine Trophy for the third time in his career.
The Al Hilal goalkeeper, a standout performer in the Club World Cup, is up against Liverpool’s Alisson Becker, Real Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois, PSG’s Gianluigi Donnarumma and Inter Milan’s Yann Sommer, among others.
The final decision for the Ballon d’Or will be made by an international jury of journalists—one from each of the top 100 nations in the FIFA rankings.
The 2025 ceremony will take place on 22 September in Paris, with Didier Drogba once again serving as the award’s ambassador.
