PSG’s Hakimi Crowned Best African Player 2025: Details and Reactions

Achraf Hakimi Crowned African Footballer of the Year 2025

Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi has been awarded the African Footballer of the Year 2025 at a ceremony held in Rabat on Wednesday. The international Moroccan surpassed in the vote figures of the stature of Mohamed Salah, star of Liverpool and Egypt, and Victor Osimhen, striker of Nigeria and Galatasaray, who completed the podium.

It is a moment of great pride for me to win this prestigious award. This trophy is not just for me, but for all the strong men and women who dream of being footballers in Africa. And for those who always believed in me since I was a child, that one day I would be a professional footballer. I would like to thank you all.

Achraf Hakimi

Hakimi had an exceptional season, securing five trophies with PSG, including the club’s first Champions League crown.

The PSG full-back was fundamental in the final, opening the scoring in an unforgettable 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in May. The FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, and the CAF President, Patrice Motsepe, presented the award to Hakimi, an honor for a defender that had not been achieved since the central defender of Zaire (now Democratic Republic of Congo), Bwanga Tshimen, won it in 1973. Midfielder Ghizlane Chebbak became the first Moroccan woman to win the African Women’s Player of the Year award. She took the top prize ahead of her compatriot Sanaa Mssoudy and Nigeria’s Rasheedat Ajibade. Bubista was named Coach of the Year after leading the island nation of Cape Verde to an impressive qualification for the 2026 World Cup, securing their first appearance.