Raymond Domenech, a former France international, has thrown his weight behind Paris Saint-Germain right-back Achraf Hakimi to claim the 2025 Ballon d’Or award, tipping him to edge out teammate Ousmane Dembele.
According to Domenech, Hakimi’s consistency throughout the season makes him a more deserving candidate for the prestigious award than his teammates Dembele and Vitinha. This assessment comes as organisers, France Football, announced the 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony to be held on September 22 at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris.
The 30-man shortlist for the award, which includes Hakimi, Dembele, and Vitinha, also features other top contenders such as Barcelona duo Lamine Yamal and Raphinha. Domenech, however, firmly believes that Hakimi should take home the award.
In an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Domenech noted, “Let’s spice things up a bit: Hakimi. Dembélé certainly deserves it, but he only woke up in January, with the match against City. Hakimi, on the other hand, had a solid season. And as a defender, he scored important goals in the Champions League quarter-final, semi-final, and final. That’s what Dembélé didn’t do.”
Both Hakimi and Dembele played pivotal roles in Paris Saint-Germain’s successful campaign, helping the French Ligue 1 side claim the domestic and UEFA Champions League titles, as well as the UEFA Super Cup, and both domestic cups. However, Domenech’s endorsement highlights Hakimi’s remarkable consistency and his defensive prowess, which could give him an edge in the Ballon d’Or race.
As the football world awaits the 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony, Domenech’s opinion adds to the ongoing debate about who deserves the award. Will Hakimi’s consistency and defensive abilities be enough to secure him the top spot, or will Dembele’s impressive performances in the latter half of the season sway the voters? The answer will be revealed on September 22.
