Achraf Hakimi named Africa’s Best Player for 2025

November 20, 2025 / 11:14 AM

Sharjah24: Morocco and Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi has been named Africa’s Best Player for 2025 at the annual CAF Awards ceremony held near Rabat. The achievement signifies a significant milestone in Hakimi’s remarkable season, earning him widespread praise across the continent.

After finishing second in both 2023 and 2024, Hakimi finally won the prestigious award, surpassing Egypt’s Mohamed Salah—who won in 2017 and 2018—and Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen, the 2023 champion. He now becomes the fifth Moroccan to win the title, joining Ahmed Faras (1975), Mohamed Timoumi (1985), Badou Zaki (1986) and Mustapha Hadji (1998).

A season of landmark achievements for Hakimi

The right-back had an outstanding season with PSG, helping the club to win the UEFA Champions League for the first time, along with Ligue 1, the French Cup, and the Trophée des Champions. He also finished second in the FIFA Club World Cup after losing to Chelsea in the final held in the United States.

Historic success with Morocco’s Olympic team

Hakimi’s extraordinary year began in the summer of 2024, when he captained Morocco’s Olympic team to a historic bronze medal at the Paris Games—the country’s first football medal at the Olympics.

Hakimi expresses pride and gratitude

“It is a true honour and immense pride to win this incredible African football award,” Hakimi said. “It is not just my trophy, but one for every Moroccan and African child who dreams of playing football.”

Injury concern ahead of AFCON preparations

Hakimi attended the ceremony on a walking scooter after spraining his ankle earlier in November during PSG’s Champions League match against Bayern Munich. Despite the injury, optimism remains high among Moroccan supporters that he will recover in time to lead the national team at the Africa Cup of Nations, beginning on 21 December, as the Atlas Lions aim for their first title since 1976.