Achraf Hakimi wins African Player of the Year after historic PSG treble
Moroccan international Achraf Hakimi received his African Player of the Year award at a prestigious ceremony in Rabat, the capital of his home country.
The 27-year-old Paris Saint-Germain right-back is currently recovering from a severe ankle sprain, but made the journey to attend the event.
Hakimi secured the prestigious title after an exceptional 2024/2025 season, finishing ahead of finalists Mohamed Salah and Victor Osimhen. In doing so, Hakimi became the first defender to claim the top African football honour in 52 years, following Bwanga Tshimen's win in 1973.
Upon accepting the trophy, Hakimi shared his appreciation: "It is an honour for me to win this prestigious trophy. This distinction is not just for me; it is for all Africans who have dreams."
The award recognised Hakimi's crucial role in a historic season for Paris Saint-Germain, where he helped the club secure a memorable treble that included the Ligue 1 title, the Coupe de France, and the club's first-ever UEFA Champions League trophy. He also lifted the UEFA Super Cup.
The defender suffered his injury earlier this month during a Champions League match against Bayern Munich, following a reckless tackle. He is expected to be sidelined for around eight weeks, making his participation in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations doubtful.
Hakimi's professional career includes spells at major European clubs, including Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, and Internazionale, before joining Paris Saint-Germain five seasons ago.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
