There was no real suspense for the presentation of this 2025 African Ballon d’Or trophy. Author of a remarkable season in every way – winner of the Champions League, Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, the European Super Cup, finalist of the Club World Cup – Achraf Hakimi was waiting for the hour of the coronation. His 11 goals and 16 assists in 55 games with PSG were convincing, as was his quality as second captain of his club after Marquinhos. He was elected hands down ahead of Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray) and Serhou Guirassy (Borussia Dortmund).
The 27-year-old right back becomes the 5th Moroccan player in history to win this very prestigious trophy, the first since Mustapha Hadji in 1998. He succeeds Ademola Lookman, winner last year. It was not without a certain emotion, despite his boot protecting his ankle injured by Luis Diaz from PSG-Bayern Munich that he presented himself on the stage of the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University of Rabat. “It’s a real honor to be there, and to receive this world and African trophy. This trophy is not just for me but for all Africans» begins the winner of the evening, still under the threat of a trial for rape.
Heading for the CAN now
“It’s a dream. There are people who have believed in me since I was little. I have to thank all these peoplecontinues the Lion of the Atlas in English and French. I also thank His Majesty King Mohammed VI. I am very proud of him, and I also want to thank my president Nasser Al-Khelaïfi (present on site) for his trust from the first day since my arrival. I thank all my teammates at PSG, Luis Enrique, who helped me to be a better player and a better person. I must thank the president of the federation. We were put in the best conditions. I hope we bring this trophy back here to Morocco. I also thank my coach Walid (Regragui).»
Despite his physical condition, the hero of the evening of course has his eyes turned towards the next African Cup of Nations organized in Morocco (December 21, 2025 to Sunday January 18) for which he should be postponed. “I also thank my partners. It’s an honor to play with you, this trophy is also for them and I hope we bring back an even bigger trophy. (…) I am proud to be Moroccan, to come from Morocco and to be a Moroccan footballer.» The 6th in the last Ballon d’Or still has one month to get his body back on track and win a first CAN that Morocco has been waiting for since 1976.
