Africa 'mobilised' to change Ballon d'Or result with politicians getting involved

The Ballon d'Or frequently attracts criticism regarding the political machinations behind its voting system. But discussions surrounding Achraf Hakimi's prospects this year have introduced a fresh dimension.

Morocco's Hakimi has reportedly become the focal point of an alleged "Pan African" campaign ahead of the 2025 ceremony, potentially undermining club colleague Ousmane Dembele and fellow African star Mohamed Salah, according to claims. The Paris Saint-Germain defender, aged 26, emerged as one of the standout performers for Morocco's historic World Cup semi-final run in 2022. However, at club level, nothing matches the treble triumph he secured with PSG during the 2024/25 campaign.

According to , Morocco's football federation allegedly intervened prior to the 2025 ballot, seeking to utilise connections throughout Africa. He said: "It even went up to the political level in Morocco, they mobilised the entire machinery of the state because it's important for the country's prestige.

"People want Morocco to have its first Moroccan player to receive such an award. So that was clearly done, particularly at the African level. Now, the question is, 'Will it be effective?'"

Molina observes that the "African vote" has never truly materialised in this manner, indicating Morocco's efforts may yet prove insufficient. He added: "[The Moroccan federation] has absolutely colossal influence, but that's at the level of football federations in Africa, not at the level of certain journalists or certain media. It's something completely different."

A complicating factor is that the frontrunner for the accolade happens to be one of Hakimi's club colleagues. Dembele is odds-on favourite with several bookmakers, and PSG are not believed to have been throwing their weight behind right-back Hakimi in the manner others have done.

Since the Ballon d'Or welcomed non-European players in 1995, only one African has claimed victory. That honour belonged to another ex-PSG star, George Weah, who secured the prize whilst playing for AC Milan. African footballers have found it challenging to even make the podium in recent times, despite excelling for both club and country. Sadio Mane became the first since Weah to achieve a top-three placement, though he finished well behind Karim Benzema in 2022.

Defenders rarely break into the top three either. Virgil van Dijk came narrowly second to Lionel Messi following Liverpool's Champions League triumph in 2019, but no other defender has reached the podium since Fabio Cannavaro's victory in 2006.

"When people put me in the Ballon d'Or debate, it's a dream I never thought about," Hakimi confessed to Canal+ (via TNT Sports) in August. "If I have the chance to win it, I think I deserve it too. After the historic season I had - there aren't many players who have scored in the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final - while it's more difficult as a defender.

"People think I'm a striker or a midfielder. But no, I play in a line of four, and I have to think about defending. The statistics I've had this year are not those of a normal defender. I think when a defender does that, he deserves more than a striker."