Hakimi Ignored, Dembélé Adored – Spanish Pick Their Favorite

Ousmane Dembélé, we’re told, is destined to win the Ballon d’Or.

Marca seems convinced. PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaïfi is borderline campaigning for his winger. And yet, Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi – who’s had a spectacular season that redefined what it means to be a defender – is laughably ignored.

One begins to suspect this is less about football, more about feelings. Spanish feelings.

Let’s start with Marca. The Madrid-based daily wrote today: “Ousmane Dembélé took another step toward winning the 2025 Ballon d’Or,” after his goal against Real Madrid. They trumpeted his stats – 35 goals and 15 assists.

Not one mention of the Moroccan who’s played every bit as decisive a role in PSG’s glittering season so far – and done so from right-back.

One wonders what Marca is playing at.

Supporting a Frenchman is fair game. But ignoring the man raised on Spanish pitches and educated in La Fábrica? That’s either poor memory or a thinly veiled grudge. Is it still about that night in Qatar, when Hakimi coolly chipped the ball past Unai Simón, danced in penguin style, and sent Spain packing from the World Cup? Or earlier, when he turned his back on La Roja to represent the Atlas Lions?

Whatever it is, Marca’s editorial compass is clearly off.

When asked who he would pick to win the award, PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaïfi was blunt. “If Ousmane Dembélé doesn’t win the Ballon d’Or, there’s a problem! Given the season he’s had – a magnificent campaign – there’s no doubt he should win…If he doesn’t, something’s wrong.”

Let’s talk facts now. Hakimi, mind you, is the man who “has continually pushed the limits of his position,” according to French sports magazine Onze Mondial. He has now broken the 14-year-old record held by Dani Alves for most goal contributions by a defender in a single season – 27, with one more game to go against Chelsea in the final of the Club World Cup. He even scored the opener in the Champions League final against Inter – the goal that opened the floodgates for a Milanese thrashing.

Eurosport had at least the decency to call a spade a spade: “Hakimi is not just a footballer – he’s a phenomenon. A defender who plays like a forward, dictates like a midfielder, and defends with old-school grit – “a lateral total”, they called him. Rightly so.

And yet, in this year’s Ballon d’Or narrative, he’s been relegated to a supporting act – when, in truth, he’s defied all odds from the defensive department and orchestrated victories all season coming from the back.

If football’s most prestigious award is truly about merit, influence, and the ability to redefine a position, then there’s no clearer candidate than the boy from Oued Zem.

But perhaps the most cutting line came from Eurosport: “Hakimi’s biggest weakness is being a defender. At least on paper.”

In truth, his only real offence is playing at the back – and not being French enough to receive a Frenchie award.