Morocco coach Tarik Sektioui says Achraf Hakimi “fully and rightfully” deserves to win the Ballon d’Or.
Speaking after Morocco’s 3-1 win over Zambia in the African Nations Championship, Sektioui said: “I was alongside him during the Olympics; he is an outstanding player. He has enormous qualities, but he also has enormous values as a person. That’s what makes his quality, and it’s exactly what’s reflected on the pitch.”
Sektioui added that Hakimi has maintained a very high level for the past four to five years. “It’s a source of pride for us, it’s a source of pride for Moroccan football. For me, he fully deserves the Ballon d’Or.”
Voir cette publication sur Instagram
On the match, Sektioui said his side were more efficient in attack compared with their previous game, creating several chances and forcing Zambia to retreat. “The video session we held paid off thanks to the maturity and intelligence of the players,” he said, adding that they missed seven or eight scoring opportunities.
He spoke highly about the players’ fighting spirit and thanked those from Raja, AS FAR and RS Berkane for their contribution after being called up.
Achraf Hakimi is now the third most decorated African footballer after helping Paris Saint-Germain win the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday night.
The victory takes Hakimi’s career total to 17 trophies, placing him behind only Samuel Eto’o and Yaya Touré, who each have 18. At 26, Hakimi is close to surpassing both to become Africa’s most decorated player. This bolsters his position among Africa’s most successful footballers, with the opportunity to equal or break the record soon.
His performances for club and country this year have kept him in contention for the 2025 Ballon d’Or, to be awarded in September.
