Before Hakimi, the last Moroccan elected African Ballon d’Or was…

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By: Manu Tournoux

Before Hakimi, the last Moroccan elected African Ballon d’Or was…

Crowned African Ballon d’Or on Thursday evening, Achraf Hakimi is not the first Moroccan to climb to the top of his continent.

There wasn’t much suspense: Achraf Hakimi was crowned African Ballon d’Or on Thursday evening during the trophy ceremony rewarding the continent’s best players.

If the Paris Saint-Germain defender had been overtaken by Mohamed Salah in the France Football Ballon d’Or rankings, the outcome of this new ballot was in no doubt. Great architect of PSG’s coronation in the Champions League, champion of France, winner of the Coupe de France and very impactful on a statistical level despite his position, the Moroccan international broke the screen.

Hakimi 2nd Moroccan to win the African Ballon d’Or

When receiving his award, Achraf Hakimi certainly had a thought for one of his compatriots. The Paris Saint-Germain player succeeds 2 Nigerians on the list of this award (Osimhen and Lookman), but he is not the first Moroccan to be acclaimed. Before Achraf Hakimi, it was playmaker Mustapha Hadji, then a La Coruna player, who won the African Ballon d’Or in 1998.

Manu Tournoux

Written by:

Manu Tournoux

Manu Tournoux is a passionate and knowledgeable football enthusiast with a special focus on French football. Born and raised in France, Manu discovered his love for the beautiful game at a young age and developed a deep understanding of the ins and outs of "Le Championnat." His French roots and extensive experience in football journalism have made him an invaluable asset to the French Football Weekly team. As an author for the website, his expertise includes not only in-depth analysis of Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 matches but also insightful profiles of up-and-coming talents, detailed transfer news, and engaging coverage of the French national team. His captivating writing style and undeniable passion for the game have earned him a loyal following among our readers. When he's not crafting engaging articles for French Football Weekly, Manu enjoys attending live matches whenever he can, exploring football culture in various French cities, and engaging in spirited debates with fellow fans.