Achraf Hakimi Highlights His “Historic Season” in Ballon d’Or Race: “I Think I Deserve It Too”
The list of nominees for the France Football Ballon d’Or was unveiled this week, with many expecting a head-to-head battle between Ousmane Dembélé and Lamine Yamal. However, Achraf Hakimi also has his eyes on the prestigious award. Speaking to Canal+, the Moroccan international expressed his belief that his exceptional year with PSG puts him in contention.
Hakimi, 26, is among eight PSG players shortlisted for the prize and is confident about his chances. His performances proved decisive in the club’s victorious Champions League run, scoring in the quarter-final second leg against Aston Villa (3-2), the semi-final return match against Arsenal (2-1), and the final against Inter Milan (5-0).
“When people mention my name in the Ballon d’Or debate, it’s something I never imagined,” Hakimi told Canal+. “If I have the opportunity to win it, I believe I deserve it as well. After the historic season I’ve had – not many players have scored in the quarters, semis, and the final – and doing it as a defender makes it even more challenging. Some people think I’m an attacker or midfielder, but I actually play in a back four and my first duty is to defend. The statistics I’ve achieved this season are not what you would expect from a typical defender. I think when a defender delivers like this, it deserves more recognition than when a striker does it.”
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