Achraf Hakimi’s recent remarks about the Ballon d’Or have sent shockwaves through Paris Saint-Germain. In an interview with Canal+, the Moroccan right-back boldly declared that he deserved to win this prestigious award after a season many consider historic in performance. This stance, quite unusual in a squad that traditionally emphasizes collective communication, reportedly upset parts of the club’s management and some senior players.
PSG had actually decided to spotlight Ousmane Dembélé as their main Ballon d’Or contender for 2025, believing his performances and clutch moments made him the top candidate. Hakimi’s comments are thus seen as a challenge, even a direct questioning of the club’s official position. According to several sources, the club attempted unsuccessfully to censor this part of the interview before it aired, highlighting the internal discomfort.
For Hakimi, this rivalry does not affect his commitment to the team. His agent defended him by emphasizing his impressive stats with PSG: 11 goals and 18 assists in 58 games, with decisive contributions in the Champions League. He posits that Hakimi represents the evolution of the modern full-back role and is a credible contender for football’s ultimate individual prize.
However, the dispute also sheds light on PSG’s difficulty managing individual ambitions within a star-studded squad. With Luis Enrique at the helm, ego management is a critical issue as the Ballon d’Or award approaches in a few weeks. One thing is clear: Achraf Hakimi isn’t going to be overlooked.