Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi has made a bold statement following his nomination for the 2025 Men’s Ballon d’Or.
The PSG defender is among the 30 nominees for this year’s Men’s Ballon d’Or accolade, alongside two other African stars.
Hakimi’s nomination follows an outstanding 2024/25 season with PSG, where he played a crucial role in helping the club secure the Ligue 1 title, the UEFA Champions League, and two domestic cup trophies.
The 26-year-old joins teammates Ousmane Dembele and Vitinha on the list of contenders, while Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal is also in the running.
Despite playing in a traditionally less celebrated position, Hakimi believes his contributions, both in defense and attack, make him a deserving potential winner of the 2025 Ballon d’Or award.
“If I have the opportunity to win it, I think I deserve it too,” Hakim said to Canal+.
“After the historical season I made, there are not many players who scored in quarters, half and in the final – while it is more difficult as a defender.
“People think I am an attacker or no midfielder, but no, I play in a four-line and I must think about defending.
“The statistics I had this year are not those of a normal defender. I think that when a defender does that, he deserves more than an attacker,” he added.
Meanwhile, Egyptian and Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah and Serhou Guirassy, who plays for Bundesliga outfit Borussia Dortmund and represents the Guinea national team, also made the prestigious shortlist.
