Trouble in Paris? Hakimi taunts over Ballon d'Or

On September 22nd, the Ballon d'Or will be awarded for the 69th time in Paris. A dispute over the award is looming in the French capital.

August 11, 2025

From: never

Last Thursday, the 30 nominees for the 2025 Ballon d'Or were announced. It was no surprise that nine of them are from Paris Saint-Germain – after all, PSG won the UEFA Champions League for the first time last season and, incidentally, the first treble in the club's history. The triumph was due to many protagonists, but it was perhaps most closely associated with stellar striker Ousmane Dembélé, who had by far the best season of his career with 35 goals and 16 assists in 54 matches.

Based on these figures, many experts see the 28-year-old as the favorite in the fight for the Golden Ball – including PSG boss Nasser Al-Khelaifi: "If Dembélé doesn't win, there will be a problem! Given his outstanding season, that is out of the question," he said in an interview with RMC SportAnother high-flyer from Paris apparently felt offended by this. The Moroccan reacted to the statements in an interview with Canal +.

Hakimi: “That’s more difficult”

"There aren't many players who have scored as a defender in the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and finals, where it's more difficult," Hakimi said, referring to his goals in the decisive phase of the Champions League. "People think I'm a striker or a midfielder, but I play in a back four and have to take care of the defense. That's more difficult," he emphasized his performance last season.

Achraf Hakimi has clearly taken a stand. © APA/afp / FRANCK FIFE

According to the former Inter star, such playing time should be rewarded accordingly. "The statistics I've had this year aren't those of a normal defender. I think if a defender can do that, he deserves it more than a striker," he emphasized. Statements that certainly have their merit – but apparently don't fit PSG's narrative. As the French sports daily The Team reported, the club is said to Canal + asked whether the quoted part of the interview could be removed. The broadcaster decided against it, partly because Hakimi objected.