Former Moroccan international Mustafa Hajji criticizes Achraf Hakimi’s sixth place ranking in the 2025 Ballon d’Or, stating, “The injustice against African players continues.”
In an interview with “afrik-foot,” Hajji noted, “The only African player to have won the Ballon d’Or is George Weah, which always makes me question the discrimination against African players and African football. Frankly, it’s beyond comprehension.”
He added, “Seeing Hakimi in sixth place is unacceptable. His achievements in the Champions League last season were exceptional; he scored in the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and finals, creating a new attacking role and maintaining consistent performance throughout the season. What more could he have done?”
Hajji emphasized that his opinion is professional, not nationalistic: “I am not defending him because he is my compatriot, but as a former player and a follower of the game, I see that those voting do not watch football the way we do.”
He concluded, “The African player often pays the price. If Hakimi had been playing in Europe, he would at least be in second place today. The reality is clear, with no room for ambiguity.”
