Mustapha Badri stated that he received pressure to change his vote for the 2026 Ballon d'Or.
The Moroccan journalist, who ranked Achraf Hakimi first in his list, ahead of Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal, claims he was approached to favor another player instead of his compatriot.
“I did not yield to this pressure,” revealed the general director of Al Mountakhab group to Africafoot. According to him, these solicitations occurred in the final hours before the official vote. He chose not to disclose the name of the player he was allegedly persuaded to vote for.
Beyond his personal experience, Mustapha Badri mentions the existence of influential groups attempting to sway the choices of journalists called to vote. He criticizes lobbying practices and the pursuit of support that, in his view, can distort the electoral process from its sporting criteria.
