When the 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony concluded in Paris, headlines across Europe and Africa echoed with mixed reactions: “Achraf Hakimi finishes sixth.” The Achraf Hakimi Ballon d Or 2025 Ranking immediately became a topic of debate among fans and pundits alike.
For some, the Moroccan full-back’s placement represented an extraordinary milestone — a defender from Africa breaking into the top 10 of the world’s most prestigious individual football award. For others, it felt like a snub. After all, Hakimi’s season with Paris Saint-Germain was nothing short of spectacular, and his influence stretched far beyond statistics.
So why exactly did Hakimi end up sixth? Was it fair recognition of his contributions, or a reflection of the Ballon d’Or’s enduring bias toward attacking players? This article breaks down his season, compares him with those who finished above him, and explores what his ranking means for his career and the broader football landscape.
Table of Contents
Achraf Hakimi’s 2024-25 Season in Review
Club Achievements
Hakimi’s campaign with PSG was filled with silverware. The French champions swept the domestic double and marched deep into the Champions League. For PSG fans, his relentless runs down the right flank, defensive discipline, and ability to stretch defenses made him a cornerstone of Luis Enrique’s tactical system.
- Ligue 1 Champion – PSG topped the table comfortably, with Hakimi starting in the majority of matches.
- Coupe de France Winner – His crucial semi-final assist sealed PSG’s place in the final.
- Champions League Finalist – While PSG narrowly missed the trophy, Hakimi was widely praised for his consistency across Europe’s toughest competition.
Individual Statistics
Defenders rarely dominate highlight reels, but Hakimi’s 2024-25 numbers stand out even among attackers:
- 8 goals across all competitions – exceptional for a full-back.
- 12 assists – ranking among the top PSG players for chance creation.
- Over 90 successful tackles in Ligue 1 – demonstrating defensive solidity.
- Top 5 for progressive runs in Champions League – showing his unique hybrid role as a defender and attacker.
Big Moments
Statistics alone don’t capture Hakimi’s impact. Several standout moments defined his season:
- Champions League Semi-Final vs Bayern – A blistering counter-attack saw Hakimi sprint nearly 70 meters before delivering a decisive assist.
- Ligue 1 Title Sealing Match – His goal against Marseille in the derby became an iconic moment, both for PSG and for Moroccan fans worldwide.
- Leadership Role – With Neymar gone and Mbappé sharing the spotlight, Hakimi emerged as one of PSG’s spiritual leaders.
The Ballon d’Or 2025 Top Ten
Before analyzing Hakimi’s ranking, here’s the full top 10 from this year’s Ballon d’Or:
- Ousmane Dembélé
- Lamine Yamal
- Vitinha
- Mohamed Salah
- Raphinha
- Achraf Hakimi
- Kylian Mbappé
- Cole Palmer
- Gianluigi Donnarumma
- Nuno Mendes
This list is telling. Out of the top 10, Hakimi is one of only two defenders (the other being his PSG teammate Nuno Mendes). The rest are attackers or midfielders whose contributions were often measured in goals and assists — a metric historically more valued in Ballon d’Or voting.
Why Ballon d’Or Voters Ranked Hakimi Sixth
The Criteria
The Ballon d’Or is awarded based on three broad pillars:
- Individual performance (statistics, consistency, big moments).
- Team success (trophies at club and national level).
- Fair play and career impact (leadership, influence, reputation).
Hakimi excelled in all three categories. His stats were record-breaking for a defender, PSG lifted trophies, and he emerged as a leader on and off the pitch. Yet, he still fell behind five attackers. Why?
Comparative Analysis: Hakimi vs the Top 5
1. Ousmane Dembélé (Winner)
Dembélé’s renaissance season was extraordinary. Injury-free and finally consistent, he became PSG’s creative heartbeat. His tally: double-digit goals, over 20 assists, and a starring role in both Ligue 1 and Europe.
Why ahead of Hakimi? Goals and assists weigh heavily. Dembélé’s highlight-reel performances often overshadowed Hakimi’s defensive and transitional influence.
2. Lamine Yamal
The teenage sensation carried Barcelona through a turbulent year. At just 18, his dribbling, goals, and fearlessness became viral sensations.
Why ahead of Hakimi? Narrative matters. Ballon d’Or voters often reward “stories” — and Yamal’s rise from La Masia to global stardom was irresistible.
3. Vitinha
PSG’s midfield engine quietly orchestrated one of the best seasons of his career. With passing mastery, balance, and control, Vitinha provided the platform for Hakimi and others to shine.
Why ahead of Hakimi? Central midfielders traditionally gain more recognition than defenders because they influence every phase of play. Vitinha’s Champions League performances tipped the scale.
4. Mohamed Salah
Despite being in his thirties, Salah continued to deliver elite numbers for Liverpool. Goals in the Premier League and consistency in Europe kept him in the global spotlight.
Why ahead of Hakimi? Salah’s reputation as a proven world star, combined with his goal tally, swayed voters more than Hakimi’s full-back heroics.
5. Raphinha
Barcelona’s winger enjoyed his best season yet, contributing both goals and assists while stepping up in crucial La Liga fixtures.
Why ahead of Hakimi? Attackers dominate headlines. While Hakimi’s all-round contributions were arguably more important to PSG, Raphinha’s offensive numbers gave him the edge in perception.
The Defender’s Dilemma
Hakimi’s sixth-place finish highlights a broader trend: defenders are systematically undervalued in Ballon d’Or rankings.
- Historical precedent – Only three defenders have ever won the award: Franz Beckenbauer (1972, 1976), Fabio Cannavaro (2006), and Matthias Sammer (1996).
- Attacking bias – Goals are easier to quantify and celebrate than defensive actions. Voters often overlook tactical discipline, recovery runs, or off-ball intelligence.
- Visibility – Attackers dominate highlight reels and media narratives, skewing public perception of “best player.”
Hakimi’s case epitomizes this bias. Despite record-breaking output for a full-back, he was outranked by players with slightly higher goal contributions.
Was Sixth Place Fair?
Arguments For Sixth
- Attackers outshine defenders in voting logic – Given the historical trend, sixth is actually remarkable for a full-back.
- Teammate competition – Sharing a team with Dembélé, Vitinha, Donnarumma, Mendes, and Mbappé inevitably split votes.
- No international crown – Morocco’s early exits in major tournaments meant Hakimi couldn’t add a defining international moment to his résumé this year.
Arguments For Higher Placement
- Consistency across competitions – Hakimi rarely had a dip in form, unlike some attackers ahead of him.
- Record output for a defender – Few full-backs in modern history have combined goals, assists, and defensive solidity at this level.
- Leadership and influence – Beyond stats, his emergence as a leader for PSG and Morocco deserved recognition.
The Moroccan & African Perspective
Hakimi’s finish was celebrated across Africa. As the highest-ranked African player in 2025, his achievement resonated deeply in Morocco and the broader continent.
For many, his placement symbolizes African football’s increasing influence in Europe’s elite competitions. While Mohamed Salah remains a household name, Hakimi’s rise as a defender challenges stereotypes that only forwards from Africa can dominate global awards.
What It Means for Hakimi’s Career
A Career Milestone
Finishing sixth solidifies Hakimi’s status as one of the best defenders of his generation. It places him in conversations beyond Morocco and PSG — into global football history.
Future Ballon d’Or Chances
Could Hakimi climb higher in future editions? Several conditions would need to align:
- International Success with Morocco – A deep AFCON run or World Cup heroics could catapult him higher.
- Champions League Glory – Winning Europe’s ultimate prize would strengthen his candidacy.
- Sustained Output – Maintaining double-digit goal contributions as a defender keeps him unique among his peers.
Legacy Building
Hakimi’s legacy is already forming: a pioneer full-back who blends pace, technical skill, and tactical awareness with attacking numbers usually reserved for wingers. Whether or not he ever wins the Ballon d’Or, his sixth-place finish cements him as one of Africa’s greatest footballers.
Conclusion
Achraf Hakimi’s 6th place in the 2025 Ballon d’Or is both a triumph and a frustration. It acknowledges his brilliance while also exposing football’s enduring preference for attackers.
Compared with Dembélé, Yamal, and Salah, Hakimi’s contributions were just as influential — only measured differently. For defenders worldwide, his ranking is a beacon: excellence in the backline can reach the upper echelons of global recognition.
For Moroccan fans, Hakimi’s achievement is historic. It shows that Africa’s stars are not confined to scoring goals; they can also redefine positions, lead their clubs, and inspire nations.
Was sixth place fair? Perhaps, given the voting patterns. But for those who watched Hakimi transform PSG’s season, the feeling lingers: he deserved more.
FAQ: Achraf Hakimi Ballon d Or 2025 Ranking
What was Achraf Hakimi’s Ballon d’Or 2025 Ranking?
Achraf Hakimi finished sixth in the 2025 Ballon d’Or, marking a historic achievement as one of the highest-ranked African defenders in the award’s history.
Why is Achraf Hakimi’s Ballon d’Or 2025 Ranking significant?
His ranking is significant because it highlights the growing recognition of defenders and African players in global football, breaking the trend of attackers dominating the top spots.
Which achievements contributed to Hakimi’s Ballon d’Or 2025 Ranking?
Key contributions included his stellar performances with Paris Saint-Germain, his crucial role in Morocco’s international matches, and his consistent ability to influence both defense and attack.
Who ranked above Achraf Hakimi in the 2025 Ballon d’Or?
Players who typically ranked above Hakimi were top forwards and midfielders with high goal or assist tallies, reflecting the award’s traditional bias toward attacking positions.
Was Hakimi’s ranking considered fair?
Opinions were mixed. Many celebrated the milestone as historic for a defender, while some argued that his exceptional season warranted an even higher placement.
How does Hakimi’s ranking impact his career?
The ranking solidifies Hakimi’s reputation as a world-class right-back, increasing his visibility, market value, and influence in both club and international football.
How does Achraf Hakimi’s ranking compare to other African players historically?
Finishing sixth places Hakimi among the highest-ranked African players ever in the Ballon d’Or, particularly notable for a defender, as most previous high-ranking African players were forwards or midfielders.