morocco“>Morocco and Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi has officially been crowned as the 2025 CAF Men’s Player of the Year after having a very successful season at his club and country. This victory is massive, as he made history in the process.
The Paris Saint-Germain defender won Africa’s greatest football honor, making him the first defender to do so in more than 50 years. Bwanga Tshimen of Zaire was the last defender to receive the honor back in 1973.
This historic victory marks a significant change in the way the African game values excellence, elevating defensive prowess to the same level as goal-scoring prowess.
Hakimi’s triumph was part of a successful night for morocco“>Morocco at the CAF Awards 2025 held in Rabat, and he was also able to win the award ahead of Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen and Egypt’s Mohammed Salah.
Achraf Hakimi‘s 2024–25 season was nothing short of spectacular. His incredible contributions were critical to PSG’s success, which saw the team achieve a remarkable trophy haul.
Hakimi played a major role in helping PSG secure the French Ligue 1 title, the Coupe de France, the UEFA Champions League (the club’s first-ever), and the UEFA Super Cup. He was also part of the team that reached the final of the FIFA Club World Cup.
Hakimi delivered good numbers, as he was able to score 11 goals and also had 16 assists to his name in all the competitions he has played. The figure now places him on the list of best wingbacks in the world.
The victory is particularly sweet for Hakimi, who has been nominated for the CAF African Player of the Year award multiple times, finishing as the runner-up in both 2023 and 2024. Finally claiming the prestigious award is the capstone on a season of excellence.
In accepting the award, Hakimi thanked his family, teammates, and the Moroccan coach, stating,
“This trophy is not just for me; it’s for all the strong men and women in Africa who dream of becoming footballers.”
This historic victory makes him only the second Moroccan to win the men’s award, following Mustapha Hadji in 1998.
This report was produced by the editorial team at The Gazette News | Latest News In Nigeria & the World in line with our commitment to accuracy, fairness, and responsible journalism. Information in this article is based on verified sources available at the time of publication. The Gazette News | Latest News In Nigeria & the World may update the story as new facts emerge or additional context becomes available.
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