Morocco international Achraf Hakimi says being named among the 30 nominees for the 2025 Ballon d’Or is a dream come true, after a season in which he helped Paris Saint-Germain secure a historic treble.
In an interview with French broadcaster Canal+, the Atlas Lions star described the nomination as both an honor and recognition of his standout performances, particularly impressive given his role in defense.
“When my name is mentioned among the nominees, it’s like a dream,” Hakimi said. “If I win it, I believe I deserve it because the season I had was exceptional. It’s rare for a defender to score in the quarterfinal, semifinal and final of the Champions League.”
He added: “Sometimes people think I’m a forward, but I actually play as a defender in a back four. That makes what I achieved even harder. My stats aren’t those of an ordinary defender, and that reinforces my belief that anyone who can do that from the back deserves the award more than others.”
Looking ahead, Hakimi discussed PSG’s ambitions for the new season, especially in the Champions League, where the club will aim to defend its title — something not done since Real Madrid’s run of consecutive wins.
“I don’t see us as the clear favorites just because we’re the reigning champions,” he said. “We’re a strong team and some people will tip us, but the competition will be tougher this season.
Clubs like Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester City and Liverpool have all strengthened with great players. Still, we’ll stay focused and fight to keep the trophy, just as we did last season.”
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