2025 CAF Awards: Achraf Hakimi honoured as African footballer of the year: “A proud moment for me”
19th November 2025
Achraf Hakimi has been named African Footballer of the Year at the 2025 CAF Awards in Rabat, Morocco, capping off a remarkable season with Paris Saint-Germain and making history as the first defender to win the award in over five decades.
Despite being sidelined with an ankle injury, Hakimi attended the ceremony at the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) wearing a protective boot, and delivered a heartfelt acceptance speech.
“It is really a proud moment for me to win this prestigious award,” Hakimi said. “This trophy is not just for me, but for all the strong men and women who have dreams of being a footballer in Africa. And for those that always believed in me since I was a child, that I would be a professional footballer one day. I would like to thank them all.”
The 25-year-old right back enjoyed a trophy-laden 2025 with PSG, winning the UEFA Champions League, Ligue 1, Coupe de France, and UEFA Super Cup, while delivering consistent performances at both ends of the pitch.
Hakimi becomes:
- The first Moroccan to win the award since Mustapha Hadji in 1998
- The first defender to claim the honour since Zaire’s Bwanga Tshimen in 1973
His win reflects both individual brilliance and Morocco’s growing influence in African football, with the nation sweeping multiple categories at the CAF Awards.