By Peter.
Paris Saint-Germain’s electrifying right-back Achraf Hakimi has etched his name in African football immortality, clinching the 2025 African Footballer of the Year award at the Confederation of African Football (CAF) gala in Rabat on Wednesday, November 19. The 27-year-old Moroccan outshone Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and Galatasaray’s Victor Osimhen, becoming the first defender to claim the prize in 52 years—since Zaire’s Bwanga Tshimen in 1973—and the first Moroccan since Mustapha Hadji in 1998.
Hakimi’s Trophy Haul: A Year of Unmatched Dominance
Hakimi’s 2025 was a defender’s dream—blending ironclad defending with game-changing attacks. With PSG, he anchored their Ligue 1 title, Coupe de France, UEFA Super Cup, and a triumphant UEFA Champions League run (beating Real Madrid in the final). He notched 10 goals and 15 assists across all comps, earning spots on the UCL and Ligue 1 Teams of the Season, plus CAF’s own. For Morocco, he was pivotal in early 2026 World Cup qualification and their record 16-game win streak—the longest in international football history. Despite a recent ankle injury sidelining him for AFCON 2025 prep, Hakimi rolled onstage on a scooter to collect his Ballon d’Or Afrique from CAF’s Patrice Motsepe and FIFA’s Gianni Infantino.
Hakimi’s Heartfelt Speech: “This Trophy Is for All African Dreamers”
In a nod to his roots, Hakimi dedicated the win to the continent: “It is really a proud moment for me to win this prestigious award. This trophy is not just for me, but all the strong men and women who have dreams of being a footballer in Africa. And for those that always believed in me since I was a child… I would like to thank them all.” He shouted out King Mohammed VI for Morocco’s sports infrastructure, PSG prez Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, his teammates, family (especially mom), and rehab crew—vowing to fight for AFCON glory on home soil.
It was a Moroccan sweep: Teammate Ghizlane Chebbak took Women’s Player of the Year, edging Nigeria’s Rasheedat Ajibade and Sanaa Mssoudy. Yassine Bounou grabbed Best Goalkeeper, and Morocco’s 16-win streak earned Team of the Year nods.
From runner-up heartbreaks in 2023-24 to 2025 triumph, Hakimi’s arc is pure inspiration—proving defenders can dazzle too. Morocco’s on a roll: AFCON title next? Who’s your 2026 World Cup dark horse? Hit reply. ⚽🇲🇦 #HakimiCAF2025 #AfricanBallonDor #AtlasLions
