Moroccan star Achraf Hakimi stands out among the nominees for the 2026 Ballon d’Or award, confirming his prestigious status among the elite global football players. Today, press reports announced the list of thirty players who will compete for this prestigious award, with Hakimi representing the most prominent Moroccan figure in this race.
This is Hakimi’s second participation in the Ballon d’Or race, after finishing sixth in the previous edition. This nomination crowns an exceptional season he delivered with his team Paris Saint-Germain and his national team, enhancing his continuous presence among the best players in the world. Hakimi showed remarkable performance during the 2025-2026 season, participating in 49 matches, scoring four goals, and providing 17 assists, demonstrating his significant impact on the teams he represents.
Hakimi’s brilliance was not limited to individual statistics but extended to winning many major titles. He won the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup, and the French Ligue 1 with Paris Saint-Germain, significantly strengthening his case in the Ballon d’Or competition. Internationally, Hakimi led the Moroccan national team to win the Africa Cup of Nations and reached the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup, confirming his leadership and pivotal role.
The Moroccan presence in this year’s Ballon d’Or awards is not limited to Achraf Hakimi alone but also includes goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, nominated for the best goalkeeper award after an outstanding season with Al Hilal and the national team. This is Bounou’s third nomination in this category, having finished third in 2023 and fifth in 2025. Additionally, young player Ayoub Bouaddi is listed among the nominees for the Kopa Trophy for the best young player, clearly demonstrating the strong and distinguished Moroccan presence across various Ballon d’Or award categories this year. The Kopa list includes ten names, with Bouaddi alongside Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsí as the most prominent. The Ballon d’Or award winners will be announced on October 26 in a ceremony held in London.
