Rabat – As football’s most prestigious individual award draws closer, the names of usual suspects begin to fill headlines — attacking giants, prolific scorers, flashy midfield maestros.
But away from the spotlight reserved for goal tallies and commercial hype, a quieter yet compelling case unfolds. It is the story of Achraf Hakimi, Morocco’s Atlas Lion and Paris Saint-Germain’s tireless right-back, whose season demands more than polite applause.
This story calls for serious Ballon d’Or consideration.
To some, suggesting a defender, especially a right-back, for the Ballon d’Or might seem far-fetched. Yet, when stripped of biases and marketing noise, the award’s criteria are clear: individual brilliance, collective achievement, and visible influence on the field. Hakimi checks every box.
Former Moroccan goalkeeper Badou Zaki, a legend in his own right, sees no exaggeration in calling for Hakimi’s inclusion.
“The Ballon d’Or must go to the player who outshines the rest,” Zaki said. “We talk about team trophies, personal contributions, and the values a player brings to the game. Hakimi belongs in that conversation.”
This season, PSG finally broke its Champions League curse. Hakimi played a central role in that success, not as a supporting figure but as one of the team’s anchors.
He lifted four trophies with the French club, including the elusive Champions League title, a feat many consider the ultimate test of greatness.
But team silverware is only part of the picture. On an individual level, Hakimi offered performances that no fullback has matched in years.
He scored four goals and provided five assists in the Champions League alone. These numbers would impress even an attacking midfielder. From his position at the back, they astonish.
Hakimi also redefined what it means to play as a right-back. He darted up and down the flank, switched roles fluidly, and often dictated the rhythm of matches. It’s no longer enough to say he’s one of the best in his position. He now stands as a full-fledged footballer.
Still, his name rarely surfaces in Ballon d’Or predictions. Instead, the conversation sometimes shifts to rising stars like Lamine Yamal.
“Frankly, I’m surprised,” Zaki said, “when someone like Lamine Yamal is mentioned as a contender, even though he hasn’t done half of what Hakimi achieved, and I say this with great respect for Yamal’s talent and potential. But if we’re being fair with the criteria, I don’t see how he ranks above Hakimi.”
“To me, the real competition should be between Ousmane Dembélé and Achraf Hakimi. And there’s an important detail, Dembélé is in the conversation because he scored eight goals in the Champions League, which is his job as a forward. Meanwhile, Hakimi scored four as a defender, whose primary role is not to find the net,” Zaki added.
Recognition for African players has always been limited. Only one African, George Weah, has ever lifted the Ballon d’Or. That was nearly 30 years ago. If the football world takes its own rules seriously, Hakimi has done more than enough to change that. He didn’t just have a good season; he led, delivered, and transformed expectations.
