Achraf Hakimi is coming off a remarkable season, but was still forgotten in the debates between Serhou Guirassy and Ademola Lookman a few months ago. The Moroccan full-back has the arguments to become the African Ballon d’Or, beating the announced favorites, like Rodri with Vinicius for the Ballon d’Or France Footballbut has he done enough?
The African Ballon d’Or will be awarded this Monday evening in Marrakech. Achraf Hakimi, Paris Saint-Germain player, is among the 3 favorites to succeed Victor Osimhen on the list of this prestigious distinction which rewards the best African player of the year.
The past season has been rich for Hakimi. With the PSGhe won the French championship title and reached the semi-finals of the Champions League. Internationally, he shone with the Moroccan Olympic selection, winning the bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games as captain. Club and selection combined, he has a record of 7 goals and 9 assists over the reference period, from January to October 2024.
Each of his competitors has a major accomplishment
In recent days, the media have gradually designated Hakimi as the possible winner for this trophy. However, Ademola Lookman or Serhou Guirassy have long dominated the discussions. Serhou Guirassy, Bundesliga runner-up, made VfB Stuttgart history last season by surpassing Mario Gomez’s record (25 goals) and becoming the top scorer in the German club’s history over a season. In total, he scored 18 goals for club and 5 for the country over the reference period, notably finishing as vice-top scorer in the Bundesliga in 2023/24 with 28 goals, just behind Harry Kane.
Ademola Lookman also made an impression. With Atalanta Bergamo, he scored 15 goals for club and 6 for the national team, while providing around ten assists. He notably guided Nigeria to the CAN 2023 final, being decisive at the right time with 3 goals and 1 assist. At club level, he was the hero of the Europa League final by scoring a hat-trick against previously undefeated Bayer Leverkusen, winning the European trophy and the man of the match title at the same time, which earned him a 14th place in Ballon d’Or France Footballfor which he was the only African in the running.
CAN 2023, black point of Achraf Hakimi’s season
In comparison, Achraf Hakimi seems to have a less impressive record, in particular because of his career at CAN 2023. Morocco, among the favorites for the tournament, was eliminated in the round of 16 by South Africa. During this match, Hakimi missed a crucial penalty which could have changed the course of the match. The factor that could have made us forget this awkwardness can only be the Olympic Games, where Serhou Guirassy and Ademola Lookman were not present. But is the feat – the bronze medal – impressive enough to tip the scales? The presence of its president at PSG, Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, expected in Morocco, seems to represent a indice favorable going in this direction. Result this evening, in Marrakech, where if wins the African Ballon d’Orhe will become the first Moroccan crowned since Mustapha Hadji in 1998.
