⭐ Achraf Hakimi Makes History: 2025 CAF Player of the Year

Last night in Rabat, Achraf Hakimi made African football history — and not just because he’s one of the continent’s flashiest full-backs. The Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) star was crowned CAF Men’s Player of the Year 2025, beating two of the continent’s biggest names: Mohamed Salah and Victor Osimhen. 

🏆 Why This Win Is Monumental

A Defender at the Top

Hakimi’s triumph is huge — he’s the first defender in 52 years to win this award. 

 That’s not just a personal milestone. It’s a signal: African football is recognizing excellence beyond just goals and attacking flair.

Morocco’s Moment

He’s the first Moroccan to win the CAF Player of the Year since Mustapha Hadji in 1998. 

This is massive for Moroccan football — and for young African players who want to break the mold.

A Trophy-Filled Season

What made Hakimi’s 2025 so special? With PSG, he helped win:

UEFA Champions League 

Ligue 1

Coupe de France

UEFA Super Cup 

That level of club success, combined with his national team role, made him too strong to ignore.

💬 Hakimi’s Humble Acceptance

Despite being injured, Hakimi made the trip to Rabat and gave a heartfelt speech:

“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.” 

He emphasized how much it means to children who dream and praised everyone who believed in him since his early days. 

🌍 The Bigger Picture: Why This Matters for African Football

Redefining Excellence: Having a defender win Africa’s top individual honor challenges traditional football biases. It proves that defensive players can be just as valuable and magical.

Inspiration for the Next Generation: Young Africans looking to break into European football will see in Hakimi that hard work + versatility = top acknowledgment.

Morocco’s Rise: This win cements Morocco’s status not just as a strong national team, but as a country producing world-class talent.

🔥 Final Thoughts

Hakimi’s win is more than an award — it’s a statement.

It’s about breaking molds, elevating the often-unsung roles on the pitch, and showing that African talent is not just about scoring goals, but leading, defending, and lifting trophies.

As Hakimi celebrated on that stage in Rabat, he carried not just a trophy — but the hopes of a continent.