Former Spanish goalkeeper Santiago Canizares ruled out Osmane Dembele as a top contender for the Ballon d’Or, instead naming Achraf Hakimi as one of the leading candidates.
Highlighting Hakimi’s stunning performances during the season, the former goalkeeper stressed that the Atlas Lion had an impressive season with PSG.
He also tipped Vitinha as one of the contenders who should enter the race for the Ballon d’Or.
“Achraf had an impressive season. Vitinha is PSG’s leader in terms of play. In my opinion, the race should be between Vitinha and Achraf,” Tribuna quoted the former Valencia goalkeeper as saying.
Hakimi made headlines recently after scoring the opening goal during PSG’s 5-0 demolition of Inter Milan in the Champions League final.
Following the game, leading French sports outlet L’Equipe hailed Hakimi as the first player to score for a French club in a European final in over three decades.
The win saw PSG win its first-ever Champions League trophy.
Hakimi has been named as part of the UEFA Champions League Team of the season after his contribution to PSG’s historic run to win the European title.
The Moroccan full-back is one of seven PSG players named in the squad, alongside Gianluigi Donnarumma, Marquinhos, Nuno Mendes, Vitinha, Ousmane Dembélé, and Désiré Doué.
In May, he was also named the best right-back in the Ligue 1 Team of the Season.
Meanwhile, a hashtag recently surfaced on X and other social media of many commenters emphasizing that Hakimi should win the Ballon d’Or.
“⚽ Goal in Champions League quarter-final
⚽ Goal in Champions League semi-final
⚽ Goal in Champions League final
⚽ Goal in Coupe de France final
🏆 Ligue 1
🏆 Champions League
🏆 Coupe de France
🏆 Trophée des Champions
🏅 Marc-Vivien Foé Award
🏅 UNFP Team of the Season
🏅 2× Man of the Match in Champions League,” one commenter wrote on X.
