Achraf Hakimi has celebrated his coronation as the 2025 CAF Men’s Player of the Year with an emotional message, describing the honour as the reward for years of sacrifice, resilience, and support from those around him.
The Paris Saint-Germain and Morocco defender posted on Instagram shortly after receiving the award in Rabat on Wednesday night: “A recognition that crowns years of hard work, success, and unforgettable moments. My gratitude goes to my family, my teammates, and everyone who works with me every day, on and off the field. Your trust, dedication, and support make me stronger and allow me to grow. Thank you to all the Moroccan people for always standing behind me. I hope this moment inspires every child in our country and across our continent to believe in their dreams and fight for them.”
Hakimi, 27, beat Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen and Egypt’s Mohamed Salah to claim Africa’s top football prize, becoming Morocco’s first winner since Mustapha Hadji in 1998. His victory also ends Nigeria’s two-year streak, with Osimhen winning in 2023 and Ademola Lookman in 2024.
The award follows a stellar season in which Hakimi helped PSG win Ligue 1, the French Cup, and the UEFA Champions League, solidifying his status as one of the world’s elite full-backs.
On the women’s side, Morocco’s Ghizlane Chebbak was named CAF Women’s Player of the Year, beating Nigeria’s WAFCON-winning captain Rasheedat Ajibade. Nigeria, however, claimed multiple honours: Chiamaka Nnadozie won Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year for the third consecutive time, while the Super Falcons were named Women’s National Team of the Year after their 10th WAFCON triumph in 2024.
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