Achraf Hakimi was officially crowned best African player of the year 2025 during the ceremony organized in Rabat on Wednesday evening. A major consecration, which crowns a season where the Moroccan PSG full-back has established himself as one of the most influential players in European football. His impact within the French club, his consistency and his decisive performances at club and national level logically led voters to place him above formidable competition. This trophy concludes an exceptional year, marked by a sporting domination rarely achieved for a full-back.
A full season for Hakimi: records, titles and decisive impact
Behind this distinction lies a 2024-2025 campaign punctuated by very high level performances. With 4 goals, 6 assists and a decisive tactical influence, Hakimi was one of the driving forces behind an irresistible PSG, author of a historic quadruple: Ligue 1, Champions League, Coupe de France and Champions Trophy. His European final against Inter, punctuated by a symbolic goal against his former club, made an impression and made him the first Moroccan to score in a C1 final. A major milestone in the African history of football.
Ranked 6th in the 2025 Ballon d’Or, Hakimi signed the best performance ever achieved by an African defender in this ranking. This global recognition paved the way for his continental triumph. Especially since to obtain the African title, he had to beat two giants: Mohamed Salah, author of a masterful season with Liverpool, and Victor Osimhen, returned to the top at Galatasaray. Hakimi not only won: he clearly won the vote.
Hakimi, the perfect year despite the injury
A coronation at home… but in the shadow of an injury
The ceremony, held in Rabat, had a special flavor for the player, surrounded by his family. But this evening of glory also carries a more bitter nuance: Hakimi is currently away from the field after a severely sprained ankle contracted against Bayern. Unavailability estimated between 6 and 8 weeks, at the worst time, a few days before CAN 2025 which Morocco dreams of winning for the first time since 1976. The reward appears almost like a balm before a weakened challenge.
By succeeding Ademola Lookman, Hakimi becomes the fifth Moroccan player to be crowned, joining Faras, Timoumi, Zaki and Hadji. He is also part of the lineage of sacred monsters such as Eto’o, Touré, Drogba and Mané. This coronation completes a year where Morocco shone in qualifying and where Hakimi, despite the injury, established himself as the modern African reference. A reward which validates its status and suggests a year 2026 full of promise.
