Achraf Hakimi, 26, a Paris Saint-Germain right-back, is touted by renowned 56-year-old coach Hervé Renard as a serious contender for the 2025 Ballon d’Or. In an interview with the media outlet Le 360, Renard praised the Moroccan’s consistency and decisive impact, highlighting his key role in PSG’s performances.
“Achraf Hakimi is one of the best players in the world today. For me, he’s the Ballon d’Or winner this season. He’s been exceptional, consistent, and decisive in all his performances.”
Achraf Hakimi, thanks to his exceptional performances at Paris Saint-Germain, clearly deserves to be in the running for the 2025 Ballon d’Or. However, it remains difficult for a full-back, even one as influential as him, to win this trophy, historically reserved for strikers and attacking midfielders. Their attacking role generates greater visibility and statistical impact, key criteria for voters.
Hakimi embodies a new profile of the modern full-back, capable of weighing in both attack and defense, which could ultimately shake up this tradition. For now, despite his undeniable talent, the Parisian must contend with this historical bias in the most prestigious individual competition. It remains to be seen whether voters will dare to endorse one of the best players in the world today.
