While Achraf Hakimi, 26, was being interviewed by Canal +, media outlets, including L’Equipe, reported that the segment where the Moroccan spoke about his desire for the Ballon d’Or had “surprised” the Parisian squad. The Parisian club reportedly tried to remove the segment, according to the sports daily. The club denied the claim.
Le groupe est surpris des propos d’Hakimi !
Dimanche, au club, on précisait « être très tranquille » et totalement « concentré sur la préparation » de la Supercoupe d’Europe.
Une intervention médiatique enregistrée quelques jours plus tôt dont le PSG avait anticipé… https://t.co/tMmIXXrQhZ
— ParisSG INFOS (@Paris_sginfos) August 10, 2025
“The squad is surprised by Hakimi’s comments!”
On Sunday, at the club, officials stressed they were “very calm” and entirely “focused on preparing” for the UEFA Super Cup. This was in reference to a media interview recorded a few days earlier, whose potential impact on the squad’s balance PSG had anticipated. According to L’Équipe, the club even tried to have the part about the Ballon d’Or removed, though PSG denies having intervened. They were also unsuccessful in persuading the player himself, who remains convinced of his right to express his ambition for the “BO.”
When, on Thursday, during his inaugural speech at the Campus, Nasser Al-Khelaïfi learned about Hakimi’s upcoming remarks, he likely tried to defuse the brewing debate.
And what about Ousmane Dembélé? Few reliable details have emerged about his state of mind. Dembélé, who reportedly has a good relationship with Hakimi, has always maintained that he wishes to be judged solely on his performances on the pitch. Reports of conversations between the two teammates on Sunday about this matter have been denied by both parties.
In Dembélé’s professional circle, there is a refusal to engage in any controversy:
“Ousmane is totally focused on the start of his season. We don’t want to get involved in any polemic.”
“For us, the most important thing remains the collective, and Ousmane appreciated the show of support from his teammates. Beyond that, everyone is free to make their own statements. We have no intention of interpreting other people’s positions.”
N’oublie pas de mettre que « Le PSG dément être intervenu. » Dans l’article original, hein Hanif Ben Berkane ! pic.twitter.com/4YP7IvRrcq
— ParisSG INFOS (@Paris_sginfos) August 10, 2025
Every year, it’s the same story when the Ballon d’Or approaches — the media go into overdrive. This time, the buzz surrounds Achraf Hakimi, who spoke about his qualities in an interview and placed himself among the Ballon d’Or favorites. Can we blame him? Of course not — his season was nothing short of spectacular. Do other players resent him for it? Nothing is certain, except for some media outlets that love to pour oil on the fire.
Perhaps it’s time to rethink how the Ballon d’Or is handled. In an era when football is increasingly about the collective, we end up comparing teams that have won everything to those that have won nothing, or a versatile, world-class full-back to a prolific striker.
Who benefits from all this? The media, undoubtedly. It sells — whether it’s true, false, or somewhere in between. They’ll argue that it’s their job to inform, while we lament their determination to stir up controversy. The sooner the Ballon d’Or is over, the sooner we can move on to something else.
