Paris Saint-Germain star and Morocco national team captain, Achraf Hakimi, has been crowned the 2025 African Men’s Player of the Year, marking the first time he has won the prestigious award.
Hakimi’s stellar season saw him lift the UEFA Champions League with PSG, alongside winning his fourth Ligue 1 title, the French Cup, and the UEFA Super Cup. PSG, however, finished as runners-up in the FIFA Club World Cup in New York.
The 27-year-old right-back beat former winners Mohamed Salah of Egypt and Victor Osimhen of Nigeria** to claim the top honour.
“It’s truly an honour to be here today. I’m proud to win such a prestigious trophy,” Hakimi said, expressing gratitude to his family, teammates, and Morocco coach Walid Regragui.
Despite nursing a severe ankle sprain, Hakimi is expected to lead Morocco as hosts of the Africa Cup of Nations, kicking off December 21. The Atlas Lions will be seeking their first title since 1976.
It was also a successful night for Moroccan football:
Ghizlane Chebbak won African Women’s Player of the Year, ahead of Sanaa Mssoudy and Nigeria’s Rasheedat Ajibade.
Yassine Bounou was awarded Best Men’s Goalkeeper.
Morocco’s U-20 World Cup-winning team was named Best Men’s National Team.
Othmane Maamma, a 20-year-old Watford player, won Best Young Men’s Player.
Doha El Madani retained the Best Young Women’s Player award.
In other categories:
Cape Verde coach Bubista clinched Men’s Coach of the Year, after guiding the island nation of 525,000 people to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie won Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year for the third consecutive time.
Leave a comment