Achraf Hakimi Breaks 52-Year Record To Emerge 2025 African Footballer Of The Year

Achraf Hakimi of Paris Saint-Germain was awarded the title of African Footballer of the Year at the 2025 CAF Awards held in Rabat.

This milestone makes him the first defender in 52 years to receive this prestigious honor, as he outperformed notable players such as Mohamed Salah and Victor Osimhen in the final voting.

Hakimi’s recognition comes after a remarkable 2025 season with PSG, during which he contributed to the team’s triumphs in several significant tournaments, including the Champions League, Ligue 1, Coupe de France, and UEFA Super Cup.

Additionally, he is the first Moroccan to win this award since Mustapha Hadji in 1998 and the first defender to achieve this since Bwanga Tshimen from Zaire in 1973.

“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 African,” Hakimi said.

“And for those that always believed in me since I was a child, that I would be a professional footballer one day. I would like to thank them all.”

Morocco achieved notable success in multiple categories at the recent awards ceremony. Ghizlane Chebbak, a striker based in Saudi Arabia, was recognized as the Women’s Footballer of the Year, while Yassine Bounou, the goalkeeper for Al-Hilal, received the Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year award.

In addition, Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie was awarded the Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year for the third consecutive year, following her recent transfer to Brighton & Hove Albion in the Women’s Super League.

Bubista from Cape Verde was honored as the Coach of the Year, having led the national team to their first-ever World Cup appearance, which is scheduled to take place next year in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.