Achraf Hakimi Named 2025 African Footballer of the Year

Achraf Hakimi, the Paris Saint-Germain defender and Morocco national team captain, was named the African Footballer of the Year for 2025 at the Confederation of African Football awards ceremony in Rabat on Wednesday night. The 27-year-old Moroccan edged out Egypt's Mohamed Salah and Nigeria's Victor Osimhen to claim the continent's top individual honor, marking a triumphant end to a standout season.

Hakimi's victory stemmed from his pivotal contributions to PSG's historic campaign, which included their first UEFA Champions League title. He scored the opening goal in the final, a 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in May, and became the first defender in Champions League history to score in the quarterfinal, semifinal, and final while winning the competition. Beyond Europe, Hakimi helped PSG secure Ligue 1, the French Cup, and the UEFA Super Cup, forming a domestic treble. The team reached the Club World Cup final but fell short, leaving Hakimi with a runners-up medal. His attacking prowess from the right-back position also aided Morocco's qualification for a third consecutive World Cup.

This award makes Hakimi only the second Moroccan to win since Mustapha Hadji in 1998 and the first...