Sports
Hakimi outshines Osimhen, Salah to win 2025 African Footballer of the Year
Moroccan defender Achraf Hakimi has been crowned the 2025 African Footballer of the Year by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), beating top contenders Victor Osimhen and Mohamed Salah to the prestigious award.
Hakimi, who plays for Paris Saint-Germain, made history as the first defender to win the award since Bwanga Tshimen of Zaire in 1973.
He also becomes the first Moroccan recipient since Mustapha Hadji lifted the trophy in 1998.
In his acceptance speech, Hakimi expressed deep pride and gratitude:
“It is really a proud moment for me to win this prestigious award.
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.”
The 2025 season was exceptional for the Moroccan star, who lifted four major trophies, the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, French Ligue 1, and Coupe de France, while also reaching the final of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
Hakimi further solidified his status by playing a key role in helping Morocco qualify for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
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