Former Real Madrid defender Achraf Hakimi is in the race to conquer the 2025 Ballon d'Or later this year.
The International of Morocco has developed into an essential part on the side of Luis Enrique after his 2021 relocation from Inter Milan to PSG.
As a furious right back in 2024/25, he scored 11 goals in all competitions, with PSG conquered a trophy quadruple, including a very first UEFA Champions League crown.
His status as of the best in the world in his position is clearly next to the current Los Blancos duo Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dai Carvajal.
The 26-year-old is one of the four defenders admitted to the shortlist, alongside teammate Nuno Mendes, Plus Virgil van Dijk and Denzel Dumfries.
The victory of Fabio Cannavaro 2006 was the last time a defender stopped the prize, in which Van Dijk finished second in 2019, but Hakimi believes that he could have a real chance.
“When they place me in the balloon d'Or debate, it is a dream. If I have the chance to win, I think I deserve it too,” according to quotes from Marca.
“The season I just had is historical, and there are not many players who scored in the quarterfinals, semi -final and final, play as a defender.
“People often think that I am an attacker, but I am a defender, in a rear four, and it is more complicated.
“The statistics that I have reached this year are not those of a normal defender, and when a defender does, I think he deserves more than a striker.”
Despite his confidence, the favorites seem to be clear to the prize, as a straight shooting between clubmate Ousmane Dembele and Barcelona Sensation Lamine Yamal.
Dembele enjoyed the season of his life in Paris, with 35 goals scored in 53 performances, while Lamine Yamal won a domestic treble in Barcelona with the 18-year notch of 18 goals on the right side of the powerful attack by Hansi Flick.