Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi ‘Deserves Ballon d’Or Award’ – French TV
Paris - Moroccan international and Paris SG's fullback, Achraf Hakimi, who is having an “exceptional” season, “deserves the Ballon d’Or award,” emphasized the commentators of the show After-Foot on RMC Sport.
French former professional footballer Kevin Diaz said that Hakimi is the number one choice, both in terms of statistics and his influence on the game, to the point of “revolutionizing his position.”
“If I had to vote for the number one, I would vote for Achraf Hakimi, given his consistency, his career, and what he brings to his national team,” he stated.
With 10 goals, 14 assists, and an exceptional level of involvement in play, Hakimi (26 years old) “impresses with his consistency at the highest level,” he argued, adding that the Atlas Lions captain, “capable of operating in several areas of the pitch, embodies a new fullback prototype.”
He added that Hakimi is a full-back who plays almost like a number 9. “What he brings to the right-back position is exceptional. He’s revolutionizing the role. In some leagues, he has the statistics of a center-forward, even though he’s a defender,” he said.
The program especially highlighted Hakimi’s complete profile (technical, enduring, decisive) and his ability to play consecutive matches without dropping in performance, with great fluidity between roles, playing as a winger, central midfielder, and even as a forward.
The Moroccan international (85 caps, 11 goals) also shone on the European stage this season with crucial goals against Aston Villa (in the second leg of the quarterfinal), Arsenal (in the semifinal second leg), and Inter Milan in the Champions League final, as well as during the ongoing Club World Cup in the U.S..
“It’s just exceptional. On top of that, he’s someone you can’t help but like—he’s always smiling and seems very respectful. He gives everything on the pitch, and he’s revolutionizing the position,” Kevin Diaz insisted.
While acknowledging that the Ballon d’Or generally eludes defenders—with the notable exception of Fabio Cannavaro in 2006— Kevin Diaz believes that Hakimi deserves a place among the greatest.
Having arrived in the French capital in 2021 from Inter Milan, Hakimi quickly established himself as an unshakable member of Luis Enrique’s squad.
Editorial team/le7tv
