Exclusive: "Amorim is not responsible for everything... and Dembele will win the Ballon d'Or for this reason..!" Hafid Derradji speaks | OneFootball

Exclusive

Exclusive: "Amorim is not responsible for everything... and Dembele will win the Ballon d'Or for this reason..!" Hafid Derradji speaks

Football fans are already awaiting the announcement of the winner of the 2025 Ballon d'Or, presented by France Football. Competition is fierce among several players who have enjoyed outstanding seasons in European football with their teams, including Mohamed Salah, Ousmane Dembélé, and Rafinha.

To discuss this, Foot Africa hosted the Algerian sports commentator and media personality, Hafid Derradji, who is well-known in Africa and internationally and works as a sports commentator with the beIN Sports network.

To know his opinion on who will win the Golden Ball this year and to talk more about the events of the CHAN 2024 tournament, and the unfortunate situation of Manchester United.

Q: Regarding the Ballon d'Or this year, who do you believe is the frontrunner to win the golden ball? And if you were to vote for one of this year's stars, who would it be based on their overall performance in European competitions?

A: The competition is fierce. Based on the official criteria set by the award's organizers, I believe Ousmane Dembélé has the strongest claim. It's not just about his individual skill, but the tangible results he achieved. He secured the Champions League title and four domestic trophies with Paris Saint-Germain, in addition to his performances with the French national team.

Hafid Derradji

While Lamine Yamal is undoubtedly one of the standout players of the year and outperformed Dembélé at the European Championship, his youth and lack of certain key titles work against him this time. He didn't win the Champions League with Barcelona, nor did he participate in the Club World Cup, where Dembélé finished as a runner-up. These factors, according to the organizers' benchmarks, will likely count against Yamal.

Therefore, my current vote would go to Ousmane Dembélé. That said, I am certain Lamine Yamal will be the master of this award in the coming few years. Playing for both Barcelona and the Spanish national team, he will undoubtedly secure his major trophies while continuing to dazzle us with his incredible technique and skill.

Q: The African Nations Championship provided many beautiful surprises. Which team surprised you the most, and who do you predict will be the champion in the anticipated final?

A: Without a doubt, the biggest surprise was Madagascar reaching the final. The second major surprise was the Sudan national team, even though this was their third semi-final appearance in four participations. Sudan impressed me not just by reaching the semi-finals, but through their overall output and performance.

Hafid Derradji

Madagascar also surprised everyone with their performances and their journey to the final against Morocco. On paper before the tournament, Morocco was the favorite to reach the final, and the estimations of the pundits were correct.

However, judging by what Madagascar has demonstrated so far in this tournament, I believe the chances in the final are perfectly equal between the two teams. The Malagasy team has a historic appointment with destiny, a chance to win Madagascar's first major football title. On the other hand, the Moroccan team has an opportunity to confirm the stature and strength of Moroccan football across all levels and categories.

Therefore, we are looking at a final between a surprise team and the expected finalist. I believe we must give both teams exactly the same chance to win.

Q: Regarding Manchester United and the significant turmoil surrounding the team under Ruben Amorim, do you expect the Portuguese manager to continue and achieve success? And in your opinion, what is the root cause of this negative cloud that has hung over the club for years?

A: Firstly, Manchester United's elimination from the Carabao Cup by a fourth-tier team is a major surprise. It highlights the significant turmoil the club is experiencing, which isn't solely under Ruben Amorim but has been ongoing since the era of Sir Alex Ferguson. Almost the last four managers over the past five or six years have all faced difficult circumstances and challenging phases for many complex reasons.

Hafid Derradji

These issues are not solely linked to the manager himself, but are also deeply connected to the club's hierarchy and the players. When we talk about the hierarchy, we're referring to recruitment strategies and the financial budgets allocated. While a substantial sum was spent on summer signings this year, the quality of those signings hasn't met the expectations of the Manchester United faithful.

It's a truly unfortunate situation for the club's supporters and for us as football lovers, especially for a historic club of Manchester United's stature. The frequent managerial changes have played a negative role. I don't believe Ten Hag will be dismissed so easily, and I don't think the Manchester United board will let him go lightly after just two league games and a cup exit. Firstly, it's difficult to find a suitable replacement, and secondly, this is the season where Ten Hag's suitability for Manchester United will truly be judged. However, the mission will not be easy this year, and the anxiety among the fans concerning the team's performance and results will, unfortunately, persist.