Ballon d'or: Morocco cries injustice against PSG and France Football over Hakimi | OneFootball

Achraf Hakimi

Two days after Ousmane Dembélé claimed the Ballon d'Or, Morocco is struggling to digest PSG's treatment of Achraf Hakimi.

Achraf Hakimi finished only sixth in the final Ballon d'Or 2025 rankings, despite a stellar season in PSG colors. It's an injustice that Morocco simply can't comprehend. In an article titled "Hakimi ignored, the gilded injustice of world football," L’Opinion wrote: "What more did Hakimi have to do to hope for this prize? Decisive goals? He scored them. Key assists? He delivered them. Stamina and consistency? He made them his trademark. In a right-back position too rarely celebrated, he redefined modern football standards, blending defensive discipline, athletic power, and offensive thrust. His raw stats spoke for themselves, his performances were convincing, his sporting charisma and human qualities rounded out his case. And yet, the vote chose to overlook him. This choice raises questions."

The Moroccan media also highlighted that no African player has won since George Weah in 1995, adding: "In Hakimi's case, some may point to his origins, his birthplace in Spain, his so-called 'defensive' position, or even off-field controversies blown out of proportion in recent months. But these arguments don't hold up against a simple truth: on the pitch, only talent should matter, and Hakimi embodies that brilliance. Not awarding him the Ballon d'Or this year is a refusal to recognize African and Arab excellence in all its glory. It's a persistent, narrow reading of world football where certain regions and player profiles are systematically put in the spotlight, while others are left on the fringes. No matter: Morocco and Africa don't need a golden trophy to know Hakimi's worth. His commitment, loyalty, humility, and class on the field have already earned him another, far more precious and lasting honor: the Heart of Gold. And perhaps, in the end, that recognition means more than all the glitz and votes of a Ballon d'Or that sometimes proves too selective in its criteria."

Al-Mountakhab also raised its voice: "Is it enough for us that captain and legend Achraf Hakimi finished sixth in the Ballon d'Or rankings, becoming the first Moroccan player to reach this position, after legendary goalkeeper Yassine Bounou finished 13th in the 2023 edition? Of course, it's an achievement that will be etched in the club's history, but this sixth place suggests that Achraf Hakimi was wronged. An injustice greater than he deserved. He certainly hasn't been, and won't be, the first or last player to be a victim of the double standard in player rankings. The Ballon d'Or missed the chance to make history and bring justice that's often lost in such individual awards (...) Would Achraf Hakimi's Ballon d'Or win have surprised the football world? I don't think so, because those who nominated him, believing he had all the necessary attributes and qualities, based their case on hard data and technical analysis, leaving no room for surprise."

Then, the Moroccan publication added about his ranking: "No, it wasn't (a surprise). In fact, it was a shock, because Hakimi deserved to be on par with his teammate Ousmane Dembélé, for whom Paris Saint-Germain did the unthinkable, and the French press did everything to push him to win this award."