French sports daily L’Équipe placed Moroccan international Achraf Hakimi at the forefront of the race for the 2025 African Ballon d’Or, ahead of Egypt’s Mohamed Salah, despite the latter’s record-breaking stats.
The news outlet emphasized that no Moroccan has come this close to the award since Mustapha Hadji’s win in 1998.
Hakimi’s standout season with Paris Saint-Germain, crowned by a domestic quadruple and a dominant Champions League run, positions him as the current favorite.
The right-back played 48 matches across all competitions, scoring 9 goals and delivering 14 assists. His Champions League performance was especially striking, with goals in every knockout round, culminating in a 5-0 final victory over former club Inter Milan.
L’Équipe hailed Hakimi as PSG’s “second leader after Marquinhos,” highlighting his defensive solidity and leadership, and portraying him as a complete, charismatic player.
Salah, on the other hand, posted stunning Premier League numbers, 29 goals and 18 assists, and led Liverpool to a league title. But his early Champions League exit at the hands of PSG, without a goal or assist, may cost him the continental accolade.
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