Achraf Hakimi’s bold statement claiming he deserves the 2025 Ballon d’Or has stirred unease inside Paris Saint-Germain’s locker room. Until now, the club heavily backed Ousmane Dembélé as their main contender for the prestigious award. Hakimi’s unexpected public ambition has caused internal ripples as PSG navigates communication around competing Ballon d’Or hopefuls.
In a Canal+ interview, Hakimi confidently declared, “If I have the opportunity to win it, I think I deserve it too. The statistics I had this season aren’t those of a normal defender. When a defender does that, he deserves more than a forward.” These direct remarks reportedly caught the club off guard, which allegedly tried to censor the segment before broadcasting; however, Hakimi refused.
The team and Dembélé’s supporters have urged caution to avoid escalating tensions. While some close to Dembélé were surprised, they emphasize collective spirit and mutual respect. Club president Nasser Al-Khelaïfi also called for unity, reminding that every squad member deserves Ballon d’Or consideration.
This episode highlights the challenge of managing egos in a star-studded club where several players aim for individual glory. PSG must balance locker room harmony while focusing on team success amid strong personal ambitions.