Achraf Hakimi (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
It is only halfway through 2025, yet Achraf Hakimi already stands out as the clear frontrunner for the coveted African Footballer of the Year award, following a stellar season with Paris Saint-Germain.
PSG’s historic treble—winning Ligue 1, the French Cup, and the Champions League—presents a compelling, and possibly insurmountable, argument for Hakimi becoming the first Moroccan to claim Africa’s top individual honor since 1998.
After narrowly missing out in the last two editions, the 26-year-old defender now appears poised to ascend to the throne as Africa’s premier footballer.
Hakimi’s Breakout Season Strengthens His CAF Award Credentials
Hakimi’s exceptional performances throughout the 2024–25 campaign have firmly positioned him as a leading candidate for CAF’s prestigious award, marking the culmination of years of consistent excellence and steady progression. Long recognized as Africa’s premier defensive talent, Hakimi combines exceptional pace, tactical intelligence, and a relentless attacking presence from the right flank.
Developed through Real Madrid’s esteemed youth academy, Hakimi’s career has flourished at prominent European clubs, including Borussia Dortmund, Inter Milan, and now PSG. Despite twice winning CAF Youth Player of the Year, Hakimi has previously been overlooked for senior accolades—largely due to the traditional bias favoring forwards and attacking midfielders.
However, persistence pays dividends, and this year, his role in PSG’s European triumph significantly elevates his standing, effectively shattering a longstanding barrier for defenders in African football.
Changing the Narrative for Defenders in CAF Awards
Historically, the African Footballer of the Year has been dominated by attacking players since CAF began overseeing the award ceremony in 1992. No defender has yet earned this prestigious recognition. However, Hakimi’s case is exceptional, as he was not merely a complementary figure in PSG’s success; he was central to their achievements.
In a talented young PSG side featuring prominent players like Ousmane Dembélé and Vitinha, Hakimi consistently stepped up at pivotal moments, notably scoring decisive goals in the Champions League quarterfinals, semifinals, and final. Across competitions this season, he tallied eight goals—four each in Ligue 1 and the Champions League—and contributed 11 assists, exemplifying the evolving, dynamic role of full-backs in modern football.
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Hakimi’s Achievements in Comparison to Past CAF Winners
Evaluating recent winners further underscores Hakimi’s strong case. Riyad Mahrez’s landmark 2016 victory followed Leicester City’s historic Premier League title win, while Mohamed Salah secured back-to-back awards in 2017 and 2018 due to his prolific goalscoring at Liverpool and his crucial role in Egypt’s World Cup qualification.
In 2019, Sadio Mane was honored after a standout season with Liverpool, capturing the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup. Victor Osimhen secured Nigeria’s first award in decades by powering Napoli to a historic Serie A title in 2023, and Ademola Lookman was recognized in 2024 after his decisive Europa League performances for Atalanta.
Hakimi’s impactful contributions to PSG’s unprecedented treble achievement clearly meet or surpass the standards set by these previous winners. Additionally, he has been instrumental in Morocco’s successful qualification campaign for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Hakimi’s Central Role in Morocco’s Continued Rise
Beyond his club successes, Hakimi remains a pivotal figure for Morocco’s national team, which has thrived since its historic run to the 2022 FIFA World Cup semifinals. Anchored by key players like Hakimi, Brahim Diaz, Youssef En-Nesyri, and Yassine Bounou, Morocco has continued its ascent, steadily moving toward qualification for the 2026 World Cup in North America.
Although the upcoming AFCON 2025 tournament in December provides another potential showcase for Hakimi’s talents, his achievements this year have likely already sealed his status as the favorite. A strong showing on home soil could convert a near-certainty into a unanimous victory. The expanded FIFA Club World Cup also presents an additional platform for Hakimi to solidify his status among the world’s elite players. Victory in this global tournament would enhance his credentials further, though his Champions League triumph already positions him significantly ahead of his peers.
A victory for Morocco in the AFCON 2025 tournament would add an emotional climax to an outstanding year, potentially elevating Hakimi’s standing in discussions surrounding global honors such as the Ballon d’Or and Best FIFA awards.
Ultimately, Hakimi’s case for CAF’s top individual award in 2025 transcends personal recognition—it represents a shift in African football, highlighting defenders as central, influential figures and marking a significant victory for North African football following a period dominated by West African forwards.
