Raymond Domenech makes his pick for the 2025 Ballon d'Or! | OneFootball

Domenech backs Hakimi for the 2025 Ballon d'Or

Hakimi / @x.com/lnstantFoot/

Former France national team coach Raymond Domenech has reignited the debate over the 2025 Ballon d'Or by placing Moroccan star Achraf Hakimi among the top contenders.

Domenech backs Hakimi for the 2025 Ballon d'Or

At 73 years old, Domenech stated he prefers the Paris Saint-Germain full-back over his teammate Ousmane Dembélé as well as Barcelona's young sensation, Lamine Yamal.

According to Domenech, Hakimi was the decisive player in PSG's European campaign last season. In an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, he explained: "Hakimi had a solid season. And as a defender, he scored crucial goals—in the Champions League quarterfinals, semifinals, and in the final. Something Dembélé did not do."Still, Domenech acknowledged the French striker's talent: "Dembélé certainly deserves the Ballon d'Or, but he only woke up in January."The winner of the 2025 Ballon d'Or will be revealed on Monday, September 22, at a ceremony held at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris.