The recent interview of Achraf Hakimi, where he claimed to deserve the 2025 Ballon d’Or, has sparked significant reactions within PSG, particularly around Ousmane Dembélé. Despite the ambitious statements of the Moroccan fullback, Dembélé’s camp chose to avoid controversy and emphasizes the importance of team unity above all.
Hakimi stated that as a defender with a historic season tallying 11 goals and 16 assists, he deserves the trophy more than a forward, highlighting the difficulty of his defensive role. This bold stance surprised PSG, which officially backs Dembélé as their main Ballon d’Or candidate. The club initially tried to censor these remarks, but Hakimi publicly stood his ground.
On their side, Ousmane Dembélé’s close circle emphasized that the player remains focused on his season start and appreciates the support of his teammates. They also noted that everyone is free to express their opinions and that they do not want to escalate the situation with unnecessary interpretations or controversies.
This situation reveals a new internal challenge for PSG, who must carefully manage this delicate locker room dynamic in order not to destabilize team harmony. The 2025 Ballon d’Or will likely be as much a battleground off the pitch as on it.
