Marrakech – Former France national team coach Raymond Domenech has stunned football circles by backing PSG defender Achraf Hakimi for the 2025 Ballon d’Or over teammate Ousmane Dembélé, who has dominated headlines as the presumed frontrunner for months.
In a candid interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, the 73-year-old Domenech declared: “Let’s spice things up a bit: Hakimi,” before delivering his critical assessment: “Dembélé certainly deserves it, but he only woke up in January, with the match against City.”
The former defender, who managed Les Bleus from 2004 to 2010, pinpointed Hakimi’s decisive contributions as the difference maker. “Hakimi, on the other hand, had a solid season. And as a defender, he scored important goals in the Champions League quarter-final, semi-final, and final. That’s what Dembélé didn’t do,” Domenech asserted.
Hakimi’s exceptional campaign with Paris Saint-Germain has catapulted him into serious contention for football’s most prestigious individual honor. The Moroccan right-back proved instrumental in PSG’s European triumph, with his crucial goals in the knockout stages propelling the Parisian club to Champions League glory.
This endorsement from Domenech carries particular weight as the former coach played in the same position as Hakimi during his career. It also disrupts the carefully crafted narrative surrounding Dembélé.
While Qatar-owned media outlets have mounted an aggressive promotional campaign for the French forward, Hakimi’s consistent performances have forced their way into the conversation.
Read also: Achraf Hakimi’s Ballon d’Or Bid: Why the Moroccan Deserves the Prize?
From Doha to Paris, Qatar’s media machine has mobilized across Arabic channels and English and French platforms to elevate Dembélé’s status in what has evolved beyond a simple player award into a symbolic battle for cultural and media influence.
Every highlight, every pass, and every news item has become ammunition in a promotional war aimed at cementing Dembélé among football’s immortals.
Yet Hakimi’s record-breaking season speaks for itself. The 26-year-old defender appeared in 55 matches across all competitions, netting 11 goals and delivering 16 assists.
In Ligue 1 alone, he registered four goals and eight assists in 25 appearances. His 27 goal contributions this season shattered the European record for a defender, surpassing the mark set by Dani Alves.
Public sentiment appears to be shifting toward the Moroccan star. A recent online poll conducted by L’Equipe reveals Hakimi commanding 38.5% of votes, well ahead of Dembélé’s 18.1% and Lamine Yamal’s 3.7%.
If successful, Hakimi would become the first defender since Fabio Cannavaro in 2006 to claim the award, and the first African player since Liberia’s George Weah in 1995 to hoist the prestigious trophy.
Football experts across Europe and Africa have rallied behind Hakimi’s candidacy. Adrien Chantegrelet of Le Parisien had previously called him “one of the three best players at PSG this season” with “an impressive regularity” and “immense influence on the game,” dubbing him “clearly the most complete right-back in the world.”
The Ballon d’Or winner will be announced on September 22 at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. The award is determined by a panel of 100 journalists from top-ranked FIFA nations, based on individual performances, team achievements, and sportsmanship.
With nine Paris Saint-Germain players among the 30 nominees, the club’s dominant season has garnered widespread recognition. However, Domenech’s unexpected endorsement of Hakimi over Dembélé has injected fresh drama into what has become an increasingly heated race for football’s ultimate individual accolade.
Read also: Vote Now: Hakimi Worthy of Ballon d’Or
