Like many other teammates, Moroccan international Anass Zaroury spoke out about his compatriot Achraf Hakimi’s chances of winning the African Player of the Year award, informally known as the African Ballon d’Or.
A month and a half before the ceremony, scheduled for December 16 in Marrakech, in the country, the Moroccan international offensive Anass Zaroury (4 selections, no longer called up since June 2023), did not go out of his way to praise his teammate in selection.
The Lensois voted without hesitation for the right-back two years his senior, and with whom he played three times in the national team.
“Of course, he fully deserves this trophy. Because Achraf is great. Despite his young age, he is a real leader and a real big brother to me”he replied in the mixed zone after the match of the 10th day of Ligue 1, Saturday, at the Parc des Princes, against Hakimi’s PSG (1-0 defeat).
A meeting during which the two players engaged in a face-to-face encounter in the corridors. Zaroury having been aligned as a left winger while Hakimi held his usual place on the right side of the Parisian defense.
Before the confrontation, PSG coach Luis Enrique had already been asked about his player’s chances of winning the 2024 African Ballon d’Or.
The latter preferred to kick into touch, while praising the 2024 Olympic bronze medalist.
“I have never seen a better right-back than him, and he still has enormous potential. We want him to become a reference player for the group”had launched the Spanish technician.
However, Hakimi is lagging behind the two biggest favorites for the award: the Nigerian Ademola Lookman, 14th in the France Football Ballon d’Or, and the Guinean Serhou Guirassy, prolific scorer for two seasons.
