By Francis Onyach - Reporter
Egypt, 20 November 2025 - In a victorious moment for African football and Moroccan fans, Achraf Hakimi has been officially crowned the 2025 African Footballer of the Year, finishing ahead of Mohamed Salah and Victor Osimhen.
Hakimi’s victory is not just significant, it’s historic. He becomes the first defender in 52 years to win the award, something not achieved since Zaire’s Bwanga Tshimen in 1973.
He’s also the first Moroccan to take the title since Mustapha Hadji in 1998.
The massive achievement is well earned. During the 2024–25 season with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), Hakimi played a pivotal role in a historic campaign, helping the club secure:
- UEFA Champions League
- Ligue 1
- Coupe de France
- UEFA Super Cup
His performances were not only defensive: he contributed significantly going forward, helping his team dominate on multiple fronts.
The Competition: Salah and Osimhen
Hakimi beat out Mohamed Salah, who had a great season at Liverpool, and Victor Osimhen, who continued his scoring form with Galatasaray.
Their presence in the top three underscores the weight of Hakimi’s achievement, showing he didn’t just win, he earned it against elite company.
Morocco’s national team coach, Walid Regragui, had thrown his weight behind Hakimi even before the awards, praising his “caliber” and saying he belonged among the top players in the world.
Regragui’s support was rooted in witnessing Hakimi grow not just as a player but as a leader, both at PSG and for Morocco.
Beyond the CAF Award
Hakimi’s stellar form has already earned him other honors. Earlier in 2025, he won the Marc-Vivien Foé Prize, awarded to the best African player in France’s Ligue 1.
Hakimi’s win signals a shift in how we view football accolades. Defenders don’t just defend; they can dominate, inspire, and win major individual honours.
This victory shows Morocco’s growing influence in African football. With Hakimi leading by example, the country’s next generation of talent has a powerful role model.
At just 27, Hakimi is already among the continent’s elite. This award solidifies his status, not just as one of Africa’s best but potentially one of its most transformational players.
