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Dembélé’s Victory Praised, But Giresse Believes Hakimi Deserved Recognition Too
The triumph of Dembélé and the unexpected advocacy for Hakimi
In a remarkable turn of events, Ousmane Dembélé’s triumph at the Ballon d’Or has been met with widespread acclaim. However, amidst the sea of praises, a respected voice from French football has offered a different perspective.
Celebrating Dembélé’s victory
Ousmane Dembélé’s win marks the sixth time a French player has clinched the prestigious award, celebrating an extraordinary season. Recognized for his exceptional skills, Dembélé was widely acknowledged as deserving. Nonetheless, a football legend, who himself was a Ballon d’Or runner-up in 1982, suggested that another Parisian might have been equally deserving.
Giresse’s surprising endorsement of Hakimi
Alain Giresse, a revered figure in football, has expressed his belief that Achraf Hakimi could have been a contender. In an interview, he stated, “I believe someone like Hakimi could have also been in the running.” Giresse’s endorsement challenges the prevailing opinion, noting that Hakimi’s position as a full-back, often overlooked for such awards, might have been his only disadvantage.
This perspective sheds light on Hakimi’s exceptional season, highlighting the disappointment of his modest sixth-place finish. Despite being considered a credible outsider, he ended up far from the podium, once again highlighting the tendency to favor attackers.
Dembélé’s edge in the race
Giresse clarifies that he does not oppose Dembélé’s win and acknowledges the unique talent of the French winger, particularly his unmatched ability to create imbalance. He credits Luis Enrique, PSG’s coach, for refocusing Dembélé and making him decisive in both scoring and assisting, leading to greater clarity in his final actions.
Ultimately, the discussion is not about whether Dembélé deserved his Ballon d’Or—Giresse admits it was a close finish—but about recognizing other deserving candidates. Giresse’s comments serve as a tribute to Achraf Hakimi, whose significant contributions to PSG’s success might have been overlooked.
