Daily Digest: Ballon d'Or, Zidane's choice, Hakimi faces trial | OneFootball

This Thursday, September 24, the French press (from a sporting perspective) discussed Paris Saint-Germain, including the trial over a rape accusation that is now certain to take place for Achraf Hakimi (27-year-old right-back). There was also coverage of the French national team, with coach Zinedine Zidane’s choices becoming clearer ahead of Friday’s match against Turkey (Matchday 1 of the Nations League). Finally, there was a word on the crazy campaign for the 2026 Ballon d’Or.

Le Parisien –

L’Equipe –

The Zidane era has already begun with Les Bleus, but things will become more concrete with the first match to be played. We will at least get some indications about the system and the intentions, even if everything cannot be perfect right away. Expectations will have to be tempered. That does not prevent us from seeing some very good things in this squad of the highest level. It is up to the staff to find the best possible formula. It is interesting to see Ousmane Dembélé back through the middle, and therefore Kylian Mbappé on the left. As well as a few new features, such as the left-backs or Rayan Cherki starting.

As for the Ballon d’Or, the media campaign is indeed impressive and rather tiring. The players are overdoing it, especially Lamine Yamal and Mbappé, but the media are as well. It is hard for them to complain when they are the ones constantly bringing everyone in on the subject. Clearly, we prefer talking about teams and the game. Especially since all this commotion does not necessarily have a positive influence on the voting.

Finally, Hakimi will indeed have to go to trial. That does not mean he is guilty, and justice must be allowed to do its job. No date has been announced yet.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.