Only Belgium, Gabon, and Morocco ranked Achraf Hakimi first in the 2025 Ballon d’Or vote, a strikingly narrow base of support that underscores how difficult it remains for defenders, and African players more broadly, to gain recognition in football’s most prestigious individual prize.
The Moroccan fullback’s season with Paris Saint-Germain and his national team was widely praised, yet his candidacy struggled to translate popular acclaim into ballots, exposing the structural dominance of attacking stars in the award’s history.
While Hakimi’s presence among the finalists still marks a symbolic breakthrough, the overall contest produced little suspense.
Ousmane Dembélé secured the Ballon d’Or with 73 first-place votes, comfortably ahead of Spain’s Lamine Yamal, while scattered choices elevated outsiders from Mohamed Salah to Scotland’s Scott McTominay.
For observers, Hakimi’s modest tally nevertheless reflects a slow shift in perceptions, hinting that African football and defensive talent may be edging toward overdue recognition on the global stage.
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