CAF Awards 2025: Achraf Hakimi Crowned African Player of the Year (‘African Ballon d’Or’)

Paris Saint-Germain and Moroccan star, Achraf Hakimi, has clinched the African Ballon d’Or (Golden Ball) for Men’s Player of the Year at the 2025 CAF Awards held on Wednesday night in Rabat, Morocco.

Hakimi defeated Liverpool and Egypt’s Mohammed Salah and Nigeria and Galatasaray’s Victor Osimhen.

Hakimi replaces Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman as the best player on the continent.

The defender had finished in second place for two consecutive years.

Naija News reports that Hakimi’s victory comes as no surprise to many football watchers, following his consistent rise as one of the most influential defenders in world football.

The PSG right-back played a pivotal role in Morocco’s historic 2022 World Cup campaign, where the Atlas Lions became the first African and Arab nation to reach the semi-finals, shattering global predictions and earning widespread admiration.

Beyond his national team heroics, Hakimi has continued to dominate European football. He currently holds the record for the most goal contributions by a defender (30) across Europe’s top five leagues.

Only Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk completed more successful passes than Hakimi among defenders within the same period.

Last season, Hakimi played a crucial role as PSG won the French Ligue 1, the French Cup, and their first-ever UEFA Champions League title.