Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi has etched his name in African football history, becoming the first defender in 52 years to be crowned African Footballer of the Year. The Moroccan right back finished ahead of Liverpool’s Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah and Nigeria’s striker Victor Osimhen during yesterday’s 2025 CAF Awards held in Rabat, Morocco.
Hakimi’s accolade comes after an extraordinary season with PSG, where he played a pivotal role in guiding the French club to its first-ever UEFA Champions League title. PSG dismantled Italy’s Inter Milan 5-0 in the final, capping a historic treble that also saw them secure the Ligue 1 title and the Coupe de France. In August, PSG added the UEFA Super Cup to their haul by defeating Tottenham Hotspur, making it the club’s fourth major trophy in 2025.
“This trophy is not just for me but all the strong men and women who have dreams of being a footballer in Africa,” Hakimi said after receiving the award. “And for those that always believed in me since I was a child, that I would be a professional footballer one day, I would like to thank them all,” he added.
Hakimi’s win also marks a milestone for Moroccan football, as he becomes the first Moroccan to claim the award since Mustapha Hadji in 1998. He is the first defender to win since Bwanga Tshimen of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (then Zaire) in 1973.
In addition to his CAF recognition, Hakimi achieved a historic sixth-place finish in the 2025 Ballon d’Or rankings in September, the highest ever for a Moroccan player. His PSG teammate and French international Ousmane Dembele claimed the Ballon d’Or title. Moroccan footballers further excelled at the awards, with Saudi Arabia-based goalkeeper Yassine Bounou named Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year, and Ghizlane Chebbak earning the Women’s Footballer of the Year award.
Hakimi’s triumph not only celebrates his personal excellence but also highlights the growing influence and talent of African footballers on the global stage.
Hakimi makes history as African Footballer of the Year
