Achraf Hakimi’s Stellar Season Sparks Ballon d’Or Buzz: A Defender’s Case for Football’s Highest Honor

Rabat, The Gulf Observer: As the race for the Ballon d’Or, football’s most prestigious individual accolade, intensifies, the spotlight once again gravitates toward high-scoring forwards and glamorous midfielders. Yet, amid the frenzy of familiar names, a compelling and quieter campaign is taking shape — that of Achraf Hakimi, Morocco’s star right-back and Paris Saint-Germain’s relentless workhorse.

Far from being just a dependable defender, Hakimi has emerged this season as a defining force in European football — a player whose impact transcends traditional positional roles. From leading PSG to its first-ever UEFA Champions League triumph to delivering standout performances across all competitions, Hakimi’s Ballon d’Or candidacy is no longer a fringe argument — it is a serious claim.

“The Ballon d’Or must go to the player who outshines the rest,” said Badou Zaki, former Moroccan national goalkeeper and football icon. “We talk about team trophies, personal contributions, and the values a player brings to the game. Hakimi belongs in that conversation.”

This season, Hakimi won four major trophies with PSG, including the elusive Champions League title, long seen as a measure of elite football greatness. But beyond team success, his individual statistics stand out: four goals and five assists in the Champions League — figures more expected of an attacking midfielder than a fullback.

His dynamic presence redefined the right-back role. Hakimi was not only a defensive pillar but also a tactical engine — dictating tempo, initiating attacks, and disrupting opposition defenses with remarkable consistency. His versatility and stamina turned the flank into a launching pad for PSG’s ambitions.

Despite such exploits, Hakimi’s name is often absent from mainstream Ballon d’Or predictions. Rising stars like Lamine Yamal and more conventional nominees like Ousmane Dembélé dominate the discussion — a trend Zaki finds puzzling.

“With all due respect to Yamal, he hasn’t done half of what Hakimi achieved this season,” Zaki said. “And Dembélé, who’s rightly recognized, scored eight goals — that’s expected from a forward. Hakimi, as a defender, scored four. That’s extraordinary.”

The issue, Zaki noted, may go deeper than football. Despite Africa’s immense contribution to the sport, only one African player — George Weah in 1995 — has ever won the Ballon d’Or. In nearly three decades since, no African has come close to replicating that feat.

If merit and performance are to guide this year’s selection, observers argue, Hakimi should be in strong contention. He hasn’t merely had a successful season — he’s shattered positional stereotypes, led from the back, and delivered on the game’s biggest stage.

For many, this is more than about individual glory. It’s about fair recognition and a more inclusive narrative. And in that story, Achraf Hakimi’s name deserves to be written in bold.