On Wednesday night, Achraf Hakimi was crowned as the African Footballer of the year. He is the first Moroccan to win this award since 1998 and the first defender to win it since 1973 to win Africa’s most prestigious award.
Mohamed Salah lost to Achraf Hakimi on winning the best African footballer of the year. He became the first defender to claim this award in 52 years.
Hakimi was awarded the trophy after helping PSG to their first ever Champions League title in May when they bulldozed Italy’s Inter Milan 5-0 in the final as part of a historic treble-winning season in which they also won the Ligue 1 title and the Coupe de France.
The Moroccan defender also had an incredible year with his club, securing the treble that included the Ligue 1 title, the UEFA Champions League and the French Super Cup.
PSG fell short in the FIFA Club World Cup final against Chelsea, but Hakimi’s contributions throughout the campaign reinforced his status as one of Africa’s top performers.
PSG also defeated Tottenham Hotspur in the UEFA Super Cup and collected their fourth trophy in the 2025 Calendar in August. “This trophy is not just for me but all the strong men and women who have dreams of being a footballer in Africa,” he said.
“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.
The PSG defender also finished sixth in the men’s 2025 Ballon d’Or rankings in September, the annual award for the world’s best footballer, achieving the highest position ever by a Moroccan.
His teammate from the same club and the French international forward, Ousmane Dembele was crowned as the 2025 Ballon d’Or winner.
Written by: Atin Kevin