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As the announcement of the Ballon d’Or nominees approaches, attention in the football world naturally gravitates toward the usual suspects: Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, and Jude Bellingham. Yet, this year, one name demands to be taken seriously in the conversation — Achraf Hakimi. The Moroccan full-back has built a career that blends consistency, brilliance, and influence both at club and international level. For Moroccan fans, his presence among the elite is a matter of national pride. For the global football community, it is a chance to recognize a player who redefined the role of the modern full-back.
A Career Forged in Excellence
Hakimi’s story is one of steady progression, defined by resilience and adaptability. Born in Madrid to Moroccan parents, his career began in Real Madrid’s youth academy. Many promising youngsters pass through Valdebebas, but Hakimi’s dynamism quickly set him apart. His loan to Borussia Dortmund in 2018 was the turning point: under Lucien Favre, he blossomed into an attacking full-back, known for his lightning speed, overlapping runs, and tactical awareness.
From Dortmund, Hakimi’s journey led him to Inter Milan, where he played a decisive role in helping Antonio Conte’s side win the 2020/21 Serie A title — their first in over a decade. His balance of defensive responsibility and offensive explosiveness made him indispensable. Paris Saint-Germain recognized his talent, signing him in 2021 for over €60 million, and since then, Hakimi has become a cornerstone of their project.
Brilliance on the Global Stage
Of course, Hakimi’s career cannot be judged solely on club football. His true breakthrough moment came in Qatar during the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where Morocco shocked the world by becoming the first African and Arab nation to reach the semi-finals.
Hakimi was at the heart of that historic run. His defensive composure, ability to neutralize world-class wingers, and attacking contributions were pivotal. Who could forget his audacious “Panenka” penalty against Spain in the Round of 16? It wasn’t just a goal — it was a statement of confidence, courage, and leadership. That moment symbolized Morocco’s fearless spirit, and Hakimi embodied it perfectly.
The Modern Full-Back Redefined
Football has evolved significantly in the last two decades, and full-backs are no longer just defenders. They are playmakers, creators, and sometimes even finishers. Hakimi represents the very best of this evolution.
With PSG, he is not merely a right-back. He functions as an auxiliary winger, often pushing high up the pitch to provide width and stretch defenses. His chemistry with players like Kylian Mbappé is lethal, creating a constant source of danger on the right flank. Defensively, he combines pace with positional intelligence, making him one of the hardest players to bypass in Europe.
Few full-backs can match his output. Year after year, Hakimi contributes with goals and assists while maintaining his defensive duties a dual responsibility that makes him invaluable.
Why Hakimi Belongs in the Ballon d’Or Discussion
Traditionally, defenders — and especially full-backs — are overlooked in Ballon d’Or voting, which tends to favor attackers. Yet, Hakimi’s influence goes beyond raw statistics. He symbolizes a new type of footballer: a player whose presence transforms both attack and defense, a leader who can change the tempo of a game with a single sprint down the flank.
When fans and analysts talk about world-class full-backs, names like Dani Alves, Marcelo, and Cafu often surface. Hakimi has earned his place in that lineage. What sets him apart is his consistency: season after season, for club and country, he delivers at the highest level.
The Moroccan Flag on the Global Stage
Hakimi’s journey is not just about individual glory. He carries with him the pride of a nation and a continent. For Moroccan supporters, his recognition at the Ballon d’Or would symbolize a breakthrough — a reminder that African and Arab players can stand shoulder to shoulder with Europe’s elite.
Morocco has produced great players before Mustapha Hadji, Noureddine Naybet, and of course Yassine Bounou, who is himself a strong contender for the Yashin Trophy. But Hakimi’s global profile is unique. His success resonates not only in Morocco but across Africa and the Arab world, where millions see him as proof that their footballing dreams are valid on the grandest stage.
Beyond Numbers: A Leader On and Off the Pitch
Part of what makes Hakimi so compelling is that his influence isn’t confined to what happens on the pitch. He is a role model, particularly for young Moroccan players who see in him a pathway to global success. His professionalism, humility, and connection to his roots make him a powerful ambassador for Moroccan football.
Hakimi is also deeply admired for his humanity. Stories of his close bond with his mother, whom he often thanks publicly, have touched fans worldwide. At the World Cup, images of Hakimi running to embrace her after matches became viral symbols of gratitude and family values. These gestures go beyond football; they reflect the values that make him not just a great player but a great person.
Why Global Support Matters
Ballon d’Or voting is, in principle, in the hands of international journalists. But media attention and fan movements create momentum. They generate narratives that influence how achievements are perceived. This is why supporting Hakimi matters.
When fans amplify his performances, celebrate his goals, highlight his defensive heroics, and keep his name in the global conversation, it builds recognition. It shows that the football world values not only the superstars who score 40 goals a season, but also those who embody excellence across all dimensions of the game.
Morocco’s Golden Generation
Hakimi is not alone in putting Moroccan football on the map. Alongside him, goalkeeper Yassine Bounou continues to shine as one of the best in the world, already crowned with the UEFA Europa League’s man-of-the-match awards and consistently in contention for the Yashin Trophy. Younger stars like Ez Abde and Bilal El Khannous are emerging talents aiming to make their mark in future Ballon d’Or youth categories like the Kopa Trophy.
This collective rise reflects a new era for Moroccan football — one in which Hakimi is the flagbearer, but not the only star.
A Crown Worthy of His Career
Achraf Hakimi’s journey has already been extraordinary. From Madrid’s youth pitches to the Champions League nights of Dortmund, from lifting trophies in Milan to dazzling the Parc des Princes, and from the heart of Morocco’s World Cup fairytale to global recognition his career is one of relentless excellence.
The Ballon d’Or is more than a trophy; it is a symbol of recognition. For Hakimi, a nomination or serious consideration would not just honor his individual achievements. It would validate the journey of countless young players from Morocco, Africa, and beyond who dream of making it big.
Achraf Hakimi is not just another name in the Ballon d’Or race — he is a reminder of what football represents: talent, identity, and inspiration. His contributions for PSG and Morocco are not about numbers alone but about redefining what it means to be a modern defender, about carrying a nation’s hopes, and about building a career that balances glory with humility.
Now, as the football world prepares to crown its best, Hakimi stands as a player whose story deserves to be celebrated. Not just by Moroccans, but by everyone who believes football is about more than goals it’s about heroes who elevate the game in every way.
The time has come for Achraf Hakimi’s brilliance to be recognized on the stage it truly deserves: the Ballon d’Or.