Paris Saint-Germain star Achraf Hakimi has emerged as a surprise contender for the 2025 Ballon d’Or, following a stellar season that saw him play a decisive role in helping PSG secure their first-ever UEFA Champions League title.
9am News report gathered that while teammates Ousmane Dembele and Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal are currently considered frontrunners for world football’s most prestigious individual award, Hakimi has received strong backing from figures within the game, including his former Morocco national team coach Herve Renard.
The 26-year-old right-back was instrumental for Luis Enrique’s side throughout the European campaign and scored the opening goal in PSG’s emphatic 5-0 win over Internazionale in the Champions League final.
Speaking to Morocco Worldwide News, Renard praised Hakimi’s evolution from his early days at Borussia Dortmund and Inter Milan to his current status at the heart of PSG’s historic success.
“He is one of the best players in the world today. For me, he is the Ballon d’Or of this season because he has been exceptional, consistent, and decisive in all his performances,” Renard said.
“His evolution has been exceptional. From Dortmund to Inter Milan, then to Paris Saint-Germain, he has only joined great clubs, which fully reflects his talent. Today, Achraf Hakimi is the best player on the continent.”
Hakimi has enjoyed a trophy-laden spell at PSG since his move from Inter in 2021, winning four successive Ligue 1 titles and helping Morocco to a historic semi-final finish at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. He also starred at the recent FIFA Club World Cup, where PSG finished as runners-up to Chelsea.
Reflecting on his season, Hakimi credited the trust placed in him by PSG coach Luis Enrique, who has allowed him to combine defensive duties with attacking freedom.
“They let me do what I like to do, play and have fun,” Hakimi said after PSG’s 4-0 demolition of Real Madrid in the semi-finals. “With this coach who gave me his trust and the freedom to play in midfield from time to time, but also to defend. The truth is that I’m very happy and I’m having fun with this team.”
Hakimi’s impact has sparked debate over whether he deserves to edge out more celebrated names like Dembele and Yamal for the award. Many point to his role in transforming PSG into European champions and leading the club to a domestic treble.
“It’s hard to see anyone else from the season he’s had, and he’s transformed them into trophies,” said one football analyst. “It does make him the front-runner by some way, in my opinion.”
Whether Hakimi will make history as the first African full-back to win the Ballon d’Or remains to be seen, but his name is now firmly in the conversation ahead of the glittering ceremony in Paris this September.
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