<span;>Achraf Hakimi, 26, opened up in a lengthy interview with Canal+ and Bertrand Latour. The Paris Saint-Germain full-back reflected on his exceptional season, his ambitions with his club and with Morocco, his relationship with coach Luis Enrique, and a dream that is now taking a prominent place in his thoughts: the Ballon d’Or.
🥇 Le Ballon d’Or, “je pense que je le mérite“
— CANAL+ Foot (@CanalplusFoot) August 9, 2025
🇲🇦 Achraf Hakimi se confie à Bertrand Latour dans un entretien exclusif, disponible sur CANAL+ 🖥️#ballondor pic.twitter.com/NDYImdexXJ
A Standout Season and a reference..
The Moroccan international affirms that the past season was likely the best of his career. He was a key part of PSG’s historic victory in the Champions League, a goal he had been working towards since arriving in Paris. Hakimi emphasized the importance of mental fortitude over physical strength, stating, “This season is going to be very long; you have to be mentally stronger than you are physically.”
He credits Luis Enrique for helping him reach a new level of versatility, learning to occupy more central positions and to strike a balance between his defensive and offensive duties.
So close to win the Ballon d’Or
For the first time, Hakimi admits he is seriously considering the Ballon d’Or.
“The Ballon d’Or is a dream, I never thought about it before, but when you are part of the debate, you start to think about it. After the historic season I’ve had, with goals in important moments, I believe I also deserve it if there is a chance to win.”
He points out that his stats this season are not those of a traditional defender and that his performances speak for themselves. However, he prefers to remain focused on the team, convinced that individual accolades follow collective success.
Ambitions with Morocco
Proud to represent the country of his parents, Hakimi is preparing for the next Africa Cup of Nations, which will be held in Morocco. His objective is clear: to lift the trophy on home soil. “It’s a clear goal for us, especially when we are playing at home,” he insisted.
With Morocco National Team, Hakimi became one of the pillars, and he aims to accumulate as many international caps as possible, and also to make history with the Atlas Lions.
Luis Enrique effect
Hakimi has nothing but praise for his coach. “He communicates a lot with the players and seeks to understand the person behind the player,” he noted. This human connection and the clarity of Enrique’s tactical ideas have been, in his view, crucial to PSG’s success.
A Mind Forged by Adversity
When asked about the rape allegation against him, Hakimi stated he is “calm” and confident that the truth will come to light. He prefers to focus on football, his family, and his humanitarian commitments, particularly in Morocco, where he works to provide more opportunities for young people.
