Paris Saint-Germain’s Achraf Hakimi wins the CAF Men’s Player of the Year award, ending a 52-year wait for a defender to take the title.
Achraf Hakimi, the Paris Saint-Germain right-back, has been crowned the CAF Men’s Player of the Year, beating Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and Galatasaray’s Victor Osimhen to the top prize.
Hakimi’s impressive 2025 season, which included winning the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, French Ligue 1, and Coupe de France, earned him this prestigious award.
Hakimi is the first defender to win the award since 1973 and the first Moroccan to claim Africa’s top player prize since Mustapha Hadji in 1998. “It’s really a proud moment for me to win this prestigious award,” Hakimi said, dedicating it to all Africans who dream of becoming footballers.
Hakimi’s remarkable season was marked by his crucial role in Morocco’s qualification for the 2026 World Cup. He is considered one of the best right-backs in world football, having played for Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, and Inter Milan before joining PSG in 2021.
Morocco dominated the CAF Awards, with Ghizlane Chebbak winning the Women’s Player of the Year prize and Yassine Bounou taking home the Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year award. Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie retained the Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award for the third consecutive year.
Other notable winners include Bubista, who led Cape Verde to their first World Cup qualification, and DR Congo striker Fiston Mayele, named Men’s Interclub Player of the Year. Morocco’s Under-20 team won the Men’s National Team of the Year award, while Nigeria’s Super Falcons took home the Women’s National Team of the Year prize.
Hakimi’s achievement marks a historic moment for Moroccan football, with the country celebrating several other awards, including the Men’s Young Player of the Year, won by Othmane Maamma, and the Women’s Young Player of the Year, retained by Doha El Madani.
The CAF Awards ceremony recognized outstanding performances in African football, with Pyramids FC winning the Men’s Club of the Year award and Tanzania’s Clement Mzize taking home the Goal of the Year award.
