Morocco and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) defender Achraf Hakimi has been named the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Men’s Player of the Year for 2025, surpassing other top finalists, including Mohamed Salah of Egypt and Liverpool, and Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen of Galatasaray.
The announcement was made on Wednesday at the 2025 CAF Awards ceremony in Rabat, Morocco, a night celebrated with football stars from across the continent. Hakimi, the only finalist present at the event, received the award to the delight of fans, creating a memorable moment in African football.
This victory is a historic achievement for Hakimi, who previously finished as runner-up in 2023 and 2024, losing to Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, respectively. At 27 years old, Hakimi has now secured Africa’s most prestigious individual football accolade.
Notably, Hakimi is the first Moroccan to win the CAF Men’s Player of the Year since Mustapha Hadji in 1998, and only the fourth defender in the award’s modern history to achieve this honor, highlighting his exceptional contributions both for club and country.
Hakimi’s triumph cements his status as one of Africa’s leading football talents, showcasing the rising influence of defenders in a category traditionally dominated by forwards and midfielders.
