Former Real Madrid defender Achraf Hakimi is in the running for the Ballon d'Or 2025 later this year.
The Moroccan international became an essential element of the Luis Enrique team after his transfer from Inter Milan to PSG in 2021.
Right rear formidable in 2024/25, he scored 11 goals in all competitions, allowing PSG to win a quadruple, including a very first UEFA Champions League.
His status among the best in the world in his post is undeniable, alongside the current duo of the Merengues, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dai Carvajal.
The 26 -year -old is one of the four preselected defenders, alongside his teammate Nuno Mendes, as well as Virgil Van Dijk and Denzel Dumfries.
Fabio Cannavaro's victory in 2006 was the last time a defender won this trophy. Van Dijk finished second in 2019, but Hakimi is convinced that he has a real chance.
Hakimi confident about his chances of winning the Ballon d'Or
“When I am put in the debate for the Ballon d'Or, it's a dream. If I have a chance to win, I think I deserve it too ”, According to Marca.
“The season I have just experienced is historic, and few players have scored in the quarterfinals, in the semi-finals and in the final as a defender. »»
“We often think that I am an attacker, but I am a defender, in a defense with four, and it's more complicated.”
“The statistics that I made this year are not those of a normal defender, and when a defender does that, I think he deserves it more than an attacker. »»
Despite his confidence, the favorites for the trophy seem clear, with a penalty shootout between his teammate Ousmane Dembélé and the Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal.
Dembélé has achieved the best season of his life in Paris, with 35 goals scored in 53 appearances, while Lamine Yamal won a national hat -trick in Barcelona, the 18 -year -old scoring 18 goals on the right side of the powerful attack by Hansi Flick.
