Hakimi makes history: first defender in 52 years to win African Player of the Year award
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Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 19.11.25. | 23:38
PSG right-back beats Victor Osimhen and Mohamed Salah, thus becoming the first defender to claim CAF prize since 1973
Paris Saint-Germain's Achraf Hakimi was named African Footballer of the Year at the 2025 CAF Awards in Rabat on Wednesday, the first defender to claim the prize in 52 years as he finished ahead of Mohamed Salah and Victor Osimhen in the voting.
Moroccan right back Hakimi was rewarded for a trophy-laden 2025 with PSG in which he claimed the Champions League, Ligue 1 title, Coupe de France and UEFA Super Cup.
🚨🌍 BREAKING: Achraf Hakimi wins African Player of the Year Award for 2025! 🇲🇦
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 19, 2025
Excellent season for PSG and Morocco right back who beats finalists Mo Salah and Victor Osimhen. pic.twitter.com/YofMOlqMZa
He is the first Moroccan to win the award since midfielder Mustapha Hadji in 1998, and the first defender since Zaire centre back Bwanga Tshimen in 1973.
"It is really a proud moment for me to win this prestigious award," Hakimi said. "This trophy is not just for me, but all the strong men and women who have dreams of being a footballer in Africa.
"And for those that always believed in me since I was a child, that I would be a professional footballer one day. I would like to thank them all."
Making history, one save and award at a time! 🧤
— CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) November 19, 2025
Yassine Bounou is the Men's Goalkeeper of the Year! 🇲🇦#CAFAwards2025 pic.twitter.com/asgsS4Wrmn
Morocco swept several other awards, including Women’s Footballer of the Year for Saudi-based forward Ghizlane Chebbak and Goalkeeper of the Year for Al-Hilal’s Yassine Bounou.
The Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year was claimed for the third time in a row by Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie, who recently made the move to Brighton and Hove Albion in the Women’s Super League.
