Ballack suspects Hoeneß is calculating: Hakimi praise as a message to Laimer? | OneFootball

Uli Hoeneß’s comments about PSG star Achraf Hakimi have sparked debate ahead of the Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain. TV pundit Michael Ballack suspects a clear message behind the public praise from Bayern’s honorary president – especially towards Konrad Laimer

One day before the semi-final second leg against PSG, Uli Hoeneß was surprisingly open in his praise of Achraf Hakimi on DAZN, with the honorary president of FC Bayern stating that he could well imagine the Moroccan international in the German record champions‘ shirt

For Michael Ballack, however, this statement was no coincidence. Rather, the former Bayern professional suspects that it was a targeted message in the ongoing contract poker with Konrad Laimer. „I would put this statement in context with the Laimer personnel issue,“ Ballack explained to DAZN shortly before the game

The former national team captain also referred to Hoeneß‘ recent statements on the faltering contract talks with the Austrian. The 74-year-old had recently emphasized that Laimer was important for the team, „but not Maradona“

It is precisely in this context that Ballack now sees the public praise for Hakimi. „He also mentioned Hakimi in the same breath. That’s a bit deliberate, anyone who knows Uli knows there’s something behind it,“ said the DAZN expert

Competition is part and parcel of FC Bayern

photo: IMAGO

At the same time, Ballack made it clear that such statements are nothing unusual at FC Bayern, adding that competition at the absolute top level is part of the club’s DNA at the German record champions

„At the same time, Ballack emphasized that every professional at FC Bayern is under constant pressure to defend his place

Those responsible obviously still see potential for improvement, particularly in the full-back positions, which is precisely why new names are constantly being linked with the Munich side

„If a player is flagging or they see potential for improvement, then they sign players,“ explained Ballack

The former midfielder also pointed out that FC Bayern has been working according to the same principles for decades. „It’s a meritocracy, every player knows that. He has to deal with that, especially at FC Bayern,“ said Ballack

The statements are likely to add fuel to the already tense contract poker with Laimer, with several recent reports suggesting that Munich are critical of the Austrian’s salary demands and are currently taking a confrontational approach in the talks.