The choice of balloon d’Or is usually not decided among full -backs. But now with Achraf Hakimi, one is acted as a secret favorite.
Like almost every year, the balloon d’Or causes discussions. While Lamine Yamal, Ousmane Dembélé or Mo Salah are repeatedly named, Achraf Hakimi is gradually establishing itself as a serious contender.
The Moroccan full -back from Paris Saint Germain has just had an extraordinary season with big titles such as winning the Champions League. Nevertheless, the question arises: can you give the balloon d’Or to a defender? And a full -back?
For Morocco’s national coach Walid Regragui, the matter is clear: “Only a few players can create such an effect on both sides. Achraf was constant, crucial and, above all, he managed to remain loyal to his principles: love for jersey and team spirit.“In this sense, Hakimi is for him”A natural, legitimate and indispensable candidate“.
Hakimi, the “extraterrestrial”
Is a historical season enough to get the individual sacred grail? In a football in which the offensive players dominate the action and sometimes seem to be adapted to the profiles or even the seasons, Hakimi could pay the price at the prestigious award that he is not a striker, even if he scores many goals.
The former Dortmund is not considered the top favorite for the highest award, but it would be a great balloon d’Or 2025. Because of his season, his individual statistics, his success with his team and his reinvention of the position of the full-back, he would have deserved the trophy completely.
And this would make it possible to open the award for other, less expected but also deserved profiles. One should only remind you that the Moroccan has scored 15 goals in all competitions since the beginning of the 2024/2025 season and has given 16 templates and has played a total of 55 games, from Luis Enrique the mostly PSG player. “Hakimi is an alien“, said Emmanuel Petit, world champion in 1998 and now an expert on the radio station” RMC Sport “. “He is a machine: he is never tired, he always plays constant. He is the first player to whom I really wish he doesn’t hurt.“.
Hakimi’s record paired with his incredible Constance at the highest level throughout the season should be enough to make it an extremely serious candidate. Of course, the picture cannot cloud that he scored a goal in the quarter-final second leg of the Champions League near Aston Villa and in the semi-final second leg against Arsenal and the first goal in the final against Inter Milan in Munich. When it came down to it, he was always crucial. Like a striker.
More than an full -back
In the 1990s there was a generation of full -backs, often Brazilians who contributed to the modernization of this position. From Jorginho to Roberto Carlos to Cafu, they have spectacularly transformed the full -back into wing players.
Hakimi, on the other hand, can do significantly more than just flanks. His fire reaches in the middle and especially in the opposing penalty area. His goal in the Champions League final is the best proof of this. He is an full -back for whom the exceeding of his role is a natural art, a right to exist and a way to reinvent his position. He not only plays forward, but also diagonally, and that changes everything.
With surprises back to normality
In 2024 there was a huge surprise when the Spaniard Rodri from Manchester City landed ahead of Vinicius Jr. (Real Madrid). A defensive midfielder was crowned for the first time in history. In 2025 it would not be absurd to hope that the jury with the 100 jurors (exclusively journalists) will continue the candidacy of Hakimi.
Because the balloon d’Or does not particularly appreciate, since only Franz Beckenbauer (1972, 1976) Matthias Sammer (1996) and Fabio Cannavaro (2006) have so far been awarded as central defenders, he estimates even less, since only a few of them have ever played for the overall victory. In the 21st century, the shortlist was really short: Roberto Carlos, second in 2002, is the only full -back who is seriously close to the award.
One year after the daring choice of Rodri, the choice of Hakimi would be another step to rehabilitation the Ballon d’Or.