Achraf Hakimi and Morocco are shocked

On October 28, Rodri was crowned Ballon d'Or 2024. An election marked by controversies around Real Madrid, who did not travel to attend the ceremony in Paris after learning that Vinicius Jr and Dani Carvajal would not be the lucky ones. Last night, the CAF Awards gala was not marked by a boycott of the main nominees. On the other hand, the results for the title of African player of the year 2024 caused a lot of talk. Ademola Lookman (Atalanta Bergamo, Nigeria) was crowned African Ballon d'Or. It wasn't necessarily a surprise since he had a good year. But in Morocco, many believe that Achraf Hakimi deserved to win. Especially since some media announced 48 hours before the gala that he would be the big winner.

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It must be said that in 2024, the 26-year-old Atlas Lion carried the country's colors high during the Olympic Games (bronze medal) in Paris and the African Cup of Nations. At club level, he won the Ligue 1-Coupe de France double. In addition, he had a good start to the season with Paris Saint-Germain (3 goals, 6 assists in 19 appearances in all competitions). But he was not crowned. What caused a reaction. People close to the player, such as Soufiane Rahimi and Rachid Benmahmoud, expressed their surprise on social networks. The Moroccan press also stepped up to defend the former Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund player. In the columns of Hespresswe returned to the reactions after Lookman's victory.

A “theft” for some

“A large part of Moroccan supporters expressed their surprise after Moroccan star Achraf Hakimi, right back of French Football club Paris Saint-Germain, was not crowned with the African Ballon d'Or during the CAF ceremony Awards 2024 (…) Moroccan fans had expressed great optimism that Hakimi would be the fifth Moroccan to win this award in history, before everyone was surprised when Lookman was crowned the best player on the African continent, after his remarkable brilliance during the current year, and the leadership of the Gian Piero Gasperini brigade. The Nigerian Eagle scored a hat-trick against Bayer Leverkusen in Germany in the Europa League final.

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On the other hand, the tone has hardened in the columns ofAl mountakhab. “For the second time, Africa steals the Ballon d’Or from two lions in Morocco”headlined the Moroccan publication this Tuesday, before expanding on the subject: “the technical committee of the African Confederation, responsible for choosing the best player in Africa, continues to steal, even to improvise, because for the second time in a row it favors its injustice towards the Lions of Morocco (…) Many of those who attended the awards ceremony in Marrakech were amazed. There was one who exploded with anger and shouted that the international star, Achraf Hakimi, deserved the prize for the best African player of the year.

Hakimi was in shock

The Moroccan media continues: “we do not know what are the criteria according to which this Lokman was chosen (…) While Achraf won the French championship and the Coupe de France, the bronze medal at the French Olympic Games. He is also constantly selected in all the ideal international teams. Neither Lookman, nor Osimhen, who last year stole the Golden Ball from international goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, who won titles for which Nigeria's top scorer is still not named (…) Indeed, the saying “the sweetness of Africa is its improvisation and its chance” is true, and Morocco and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation must reconsider the reception and organization of CAF awards in our country, as long as the African Confederation itself will not respect that the first to reward is the one who deserves the reward.”

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In another article, Al Mountakhab also indicated that the PSG player believed it and was very shocked. Especially since he received rather positive information before the ceremony. “Hakimi was invited to attend the CAF ceremony due to a high percentage chance of coronation. The news we received confirmed that there was a call to Achraf Hakimi to tell him that there was good news and that he should come to Marrakech, and Hakimi actually reunited with his mother, his brother and the president of the Paris Saint-Germain club (…) Lookman said he himself did not believe he was the owner of the Ballon d'Or after the name of Achraf Hakimi was chanted. Achraf Hakimi left the concert hall in shock, holding his mother by the hand as if telling her (…) Here ended the story of the theft and kidnapping of Achraf's Ballon d'Or Hakimi.” A player who can count on the support of his country, determined to defend it.