Achraf Hakimi has won the African Footballer of the Year award during a triumphant night in Rabat. The Morocco and Paris St-Germain star beat Mohamed Salah and Victor Osimhen to the continent’s biggest individual prize.
The 27-year-old delivered another exceptional year for both club and country, helping PSG win the French league title and their first-ever Champions League crown. Moreover, his consistency and maturity made him a clear favourite among voters across Africa.
Hakimi became the first Moroccan to win the award since Mustapha Hadji in 1998, ending a 27-year wait. He had finished second in both 2023 and 2024, making this triumph even more meaningful.
“It’s really an honour for me to win this prestigious trophy,” Hakimi said proudly on stage. “This trophy is not just for me – it is for all the Africans that have dreams.”
Meanwhile, it was also a golden evening for Morocco’s women’s team. Captain Ghizlane Chebbak won the Women’s African Footballer of the Year award, edging out Nigeria’s Rasheedat Ajibade and team-mate Sanaa Mssoudy.
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Hakimi eyes AFCON glory despite injury concerns
However, Hakimi’s celebrations come with a note of caution. He is battling a ligament injury suffered against Bayern Munich in the Champions League earlier this month. He limped onto the stage carefully, avoiding pressure on his left foot as he received the award from Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) President Patrice Motsepe and FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
Despite the setback, Hakimi remains determined to lead Morocco into the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on home soil. He has been central in promoting the tournament and understands its importance to the nation.
“We will do our best to win the Afcon trophy,” he said. “I’d like to thank my physiotherapists and those that support me in this difficult period.”
Tags: Achraf Hakimi, African Footballer of the Year, AFOTY, APOTY, AFCON, Victor Osimhen, Mohamed Salah, CAF, FIFA, Patrice Motsepe, Gianni Infantino, Ghizlane Chebbak, Rasheedat Ajibade, Sanaa, Mssoudy.
