Paris Saint-Germain’s defender Achraf Hakimi earned the title of 2025 African Footballer of the Year during a gala event in Rabat on Wednesday.
The Moroccan star led the poll, with Mohamed Salah—Liverpool’s Egyptian sensation—and Victor Osimhen, the Nigerian forward for Galatasaray, rounding out the top three.
“This is an incredibly proud achievement for me to receive such a distinguished honor,” Hakimi shared.
“The award belongs not only to me but to every resilient man and woman in Africa chasing their dream of becoming a professional soccer player. It also honors those who saw my potential as a kid and believed I’d make it big in the sport. My deepest thanks go to all of them.”
Hakimi delivered an outstanding campaign, helping PSG claim five titles, highlighted by the team’s first-ever Champions League victory.
The PSG right-back played a pivotal role in the Champions League final, breaking the deadlock in a memorable 5-0 demolition of Inter Milan last May.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino and CAF president Patrice Motsepe handed Hakimi the award – a rare triumph for a defender, last achieved by Zaire’s (now DR Congo) center-back Bwanga Tshimen back in 1973.
In the women’s category, midfielder Ghizlane Chebbak made history as the first Moroccan woman to claim the African Footballer of the Year title, finishing ahead of fellow countrywoman Sanaa Mssoudy and Nigeria’s Rasheedat Ajibade.
Cape Verde boss Bubista was crowned Coach of the Year after masterminding the island nation’s historic qualification for the 2026 World Cup – their maiden appearance at the tournament.
