Paris Saint-Germain and Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi has been named the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Men's Player of the Year for 2025, marking a landmark achievement for both the player and Moroccan football.
The 27-year-old right-back, known for his explosive pace, defensive solidity, and attacking prowess, claimed the prestigious award during a glittering ceremony held at the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in Rabat, edging out strong contenders Mohamed Salah of Egypt and Liverpool, and Victor Osimhen of Nigeria and Galatasaray.
Hakimi's triumph ends a 27-year drought for Morocco, making him only the second player from the North African nation to win the award since midfielder Mustapha Hadji in 1998. Remarkably, he is the first defender to claim the title in over five decades, with the last being Zaire's (now DR Congo) Bwanga Tshimen in 1973.
The award recognizes outstanding performances across club and international competitions from January 6 to October 15, 2025, as voted by a panel of CAF technical experts, legends, coaches, and journalists.
The Moroccan star's 2024-2025 season with PSG was nothing short of extraordinary. Under manager Luis Enrique, Hakimi played a pivotal role in the French giants securing a historic quadruple: their maiden UEFA Champions League title (defeating Inter Milan 5-0 in the final, where Hakimi scored the opening goal), Ligue 1, Coupe de France, and the Trophée des Champions. He also contributed to PSG's UEFA Super Cup victory and a runner-up finish in the expanded FIFA Club World Cup.
Across all competitions, the versatile full-back registered an impressive 11 goals and 16 assists in 55 appearances, while maintaining defensive excellence with over 3,400 minutes played and contributing to numerous clean sheets.
On the international stage, Hakimi captained Morocco to seamless qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, providing four assists in the process. His leadership and consistency earned him further accolades earlier in the year, including the Marc-Vivien Foé Award as the best African player in Ligue 1, a sixth-place finish in the 2025 Ballon d'Or (the highest ever for a Moroccan and an African defender), and spots in the UEFA Champions League Team of the Season and Ligue 1 Team of the Season.
Despite a recent ankle ligament injury sustained in a Champions League match against Bayern Munich, which has sidelined him and cast doubt on his full participation in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 hosted by Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026 Hakimi attended the ceremony with visible determination. He ascended the stage cautiously, avoiding pressure on his injured foot, and received the trophy from CAF President Patrice Motsepe and FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
In an emotional acceptance speech, Hakimi expressed profound gratitude: "This is a great honor and a source of immense pride. This trophy belongs to all Africans who dream of becoming footballers, and to everyone who believed in me from childhood." He paid tribute to his family, PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, teammates, Morocco coach Walid Regragui, and King Mohammed VI for investing in the country's sports infrastructure. Hakimi also pledged his commitment to helping the Atlas Lions end their 49-year AFCON title drought, stating, "We will give everything to bring the trophy home."
The evening was a triumphant one for Moroccan football overall. Hakimi's compatriot Yassine Bounou won Men's Goalkeeper of the Year, while Ghizlane Chebbak claimed the Women's Player of the Year – the first Moroccan woman to do so. Morocco's U-20 team was named Men's National Team of the Year after their historic FIFA U-20 World Cup victory.
Hakimi's rise from humble beginnings – born in Madrid to Moroccan parents, with his father a street vendor and mother a cleaner – to global stardom underscores his journey as an inspiration for young African talents. As he continues recovery, fans eagerly await his potential return to lead Morocco in what promises to be a memorable home AFCON.
This award solidifies Hakimi's status as one of the world's premier full-backs and highlights the growing influence of African players on the European stage. With his contract at PSG extended until 2029, the best may yet be to come for the "Atlas Lion."