Former Moroccan winger Mustapha Hadji has expressed his disappointment with Achraf Hakimi's sixth-place ranking in the 2025 Ballon d'Or. In an inte
Former Moroccan winger Mustapha Hadji has expressed his disappointment with Achraf Hakimi’s sixth-place ranking in the 2025 Ballon d’Or.
In an interview with Afrik-foot, Hadji made it clear that African players are not enjoying the highest rankings they deserve.
“The only African player to have won the Ballon d’Or is George Weah. I always ask myself questions about discrimination against African players and African football, and frankly, this thing goes beyond my understanding”, Hadji said.
Africa has produced great players since Oppong Weah won the Ballon d’Or in 1995, including the likes of Okocha, Eto’o, Drogba, Yaya Toure, Mane, and Salah, among many other notable players. However, the highest-ranked player was Man, who finished second behind Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema in 2022.
Hadji continued, “Seeing Hakimi in sixth place in this ranking is a scandal. Ousmane Dembélé deserves to win the Ballon d’Or, that is clear, but Hakimi in sixth place? This is unacceptable.”
French forward Ousmane Dembele won the latest Ballon d’Or award, with Moroccan star Hakimi finishing sixth. Hakimi played a very key role in PSG’s treble excursion, where he undoubtedly became the best right back in the world.
“I am not speaking as a Moroccan, and not because Hakimi is my compatriot, I defend him, but I speak as a former player, and a lover of football who follows all the matches. Frankly, I think the people who vote do not watch the same football we are watching”, the 1998 African Footballer of the Year said.
The former Deportivo La Coruna and Aston Villa star put patriotism aside and fired the organisers and voters for placing Hakimi at sixth position.
“Achraf scored in the quarter-final, semi-final, and final of the Champions League. He even created a new position – no longer a full-back nor a winger, but an attacking role of his own. He was consistent all season. What more could he do? I don’t know! This is something incomprehensible!” he concluded.
Egyptian star Mohammed Salah finished as the highest-ranked African footballer in the 2025 Ballon d’Or Award, where he came in 4th.
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