Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi has been crowned the 2025 African Player of the Year at the CAF Awards held in Rabat on Wednesday.
The Morocco international edged Liverpool star Mohamed Salah and Galatasaray forward Victor Osimhen to win the continent’s top individual honour.
Hakimi enjoyed a remarkable year, playing a key role in PSG’s Ligue 1 triumph and helping the French giants secure their first-ever UEFA Champions League title. The 27-year-old becomes the first Moroccan to win the award since Mustapha Hadji in 1998.
The right-back also excelled on the continental stage, continuing to be a pivotal figure for the Atlas Lions. He finished the year with the highest number of goal contributions by any defender across Europe’s top five leagues, 30 in total, and ranks second only to Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk for successful passes made by defenders.