Bado Zaki: The Ballon d’Or Loses Its Credibility If Hakimi Is Denied
The national coach Bado Zaki, who leads the Niger national team, believes that Moroccan international Achraf Hakimi deserves to win the Ballon d’Or this season, emphasizing that his achievements surpass those of other potential candidates.
In a press conference following Niger’s defeat to Morocco by a score of five to zero, Zaki stated that Hakimi has established himself over recent years as the best right-back in the world, adding that ignoring him once again would undermine the award’s integrity and global value.
Zaki explained that Hakimi’s victory in the French league with Paris Saint-Germain, followed by winning the UEFA Champions League, makes him the most deserving candidate for the Ballon d’Or. He highlighted that the long-standing dominance of forwards in this award has deprived defenders of the rightful recognition for their performances and impact on the results of clubs and national teams.
The Moroccan coach asserted that the Ballon d’Or “will no longer have credibility” if it is not awarded to Hakimi this season.
