Rabat – A post by French journalist Grégory Schneider has reignited debate over who should win the 2025 Ballon d’Or. Writing on L’Équipe’s social channels, Schneider argued that Achraf Hakimi has been Paris Saint-Germain’s best player “every single match” this year, far outshining teammate Ousmane Dembélé.
Schneider is not alone. On Canal+, pundits backed the sentiment, with former Spain goalkeeper Santiago Cañizares calling Hakimi’s campaign “remarkable” and insisting the race “should come down to Vitinha and Hakimi.”
Former France international Bacary Sagna added: “Hakimi never tires – he’s always surging forward and changing games.”
On social media, PSG supporters have pushed the hashtag #HakimiBallondOr, pointing to his record-breaking 27 goal involvements this season – more than any defender in history. The previous record stood at 25, set by Dani Alves during Barcelona’s 2010-2011 season under Pep Guardiola.
Beyond those numbers, Hakimi’s influence is clear; he leads all Ligue 1 defenders in chances created (47), progressive carries, and shots on target (13).
Only three defenders who have ever won the Ballon d’Or: Franz Beckenbauer (1972,1976), Matthias Sammer (1996), and most recently Fabio Cannavaro in 2006. Forwards typically dominate the voting, with early media narratives drifting towardsDembélé or Barcelona’s teenager Lamine Yamal.
Schneider added: not PSG team-mate Ousmane Dembélé. “And don’t tell me it’s because he plays ‘defender’.”
But with the Club World Cup final against Chelsea on Sunday, Hakimi still has a chance to push his tally beyond 27 goal contributions and make his case undeniable.
Should he win, Hakimi would become only the second African to win the Ballon d’Or, following George Weah in 1995 with the same club.
