Paris Saint-Germain right-back Achraf Hakimi has been named the CAF Men’s Player of the Year for 2025, edging out Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah and Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen at the awards ceremony in Rabat.
This historic triumph makes Hakimi the first Moroccan to win the men’s award since Mustapha Hadji in 1998 and only the second defender to ever claim the honor, following TP Mazembe’s Bwanga Tshimen in 1973.
Hakimi’s season was nothing short of spectacular he played a crucial role in PSG’s treble-winning campaign, helping them secure the UEFA Champions League, Ligue 1, and Coupe de France, as well as lifting the UEFA Super Cup. On the international front, he also played his part in helping Morocco qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
At the ceremony, Hakimi expressed his pride in the achievement, dedicating the award to those who believed in him from his early days and calling it a “truly proud moment.”
Editorial
What Achraf Hakimi has achieved is emblematic of a new era in African football one where defenders, too, can be the pulsating heart of a team’s brilliance. In a year dominated by goals and flair, Hakimi’s recognition as CAF’s top player underlines how football’s true value lies not just in scoring, but in balance, leadership, and versatility.
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Hakimi’s season with PSG was not just about completing a treble it was about defining his place at the very top of a club and a continent in transition. He did not merely defend he attacked, created, and led with a fluency rare for his position. That he did so while anchoring Morocco’s push for global relevance makes his victory all the more resonant.
Beating the likes of Salah and Osimhen two of Africa’s most lethal attackers shows that CAF’s voters understood the depth of his impact. This is not a consolation prize for great defensive work it is a celebration of all-around excellence. For Morocco, this is a historic moment. For Hakimi, it is affirmation.
In the years to come, we may look back on this award as a turning point not just for him, but for how a continent views the game. And if Hakimi continues on this path, his legacy may be measured in more than individual honors it may be measured in the way he helped shift football’s expectations.
Did You Know?
- Hakimi is the first defender to win the CAF Men’s Player of the Year award in over 50 years.
- He scored the opening goal in the 2025 UEFA Champions League final as PSG beat Inter Milan 5–0.
- In 2025, Hakimi helped PSG win four major trophies: the Champions League, Ligue 1, Coupe de France, and UEFA Super Cup.
- With this award, Hakimi becomes only the second Moroccan ever to win the CAF Men’s Player of the Year, after Mustapha Hadji in 1998.
- His performances were also pivotal in Morocco’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, underlining his importance beyond club football.
