Hakimi Crowned Africa’s Best Player as PSG’s Star Power Shines on Home Soil
20 November 2025
Hakimi hailed as Africa’s best
Nasser Al-Khelaifi, the president of Paris Saint-Germain, praised Moroccan superstar Achraf Hakimi, PSG’s dynamic right-back, during the CAF awards in Rabat on Wednesday.
Al-Khelaifi attended the ceremony in the Moroccan capital to celebrate Hakimi’s coronation as Africa’s Best Player for 2025, ahead of Mohamed Salah of Liverpool and Victor Osimhen of Napoli, with Louis Diaz of Bayern Munich also among the finalists.
Hakimi was crowned best African player, finishing ahead of Salah, Osimhen, and Diaz in a ceremony that highlighted his rise as a global star and a key figure for both PSG and Morocco.
In remarks reported by Foot Mercato, Al-Khelaifi said: "For me, Hakimi is among the best players in the world, and Africa’s best without a doubt."
He added: "He is a leader at PSG and the captain of Morocco; we are all proud of him."
Dembele, a teammate and friend, congratulated Hakimi on Instagram, writing: "Congrats, brother... you deserve it." Shortly after, Kylian Mbappe also saluted Hakimi, posting a photo and writing: "Love you, my brother, Africa’s king, truly well deserved."
Hakimi and Mbappe developed a close bond at PSG from 2021 to 2024, before Mbappe's move to Real Madrid in 2024. Hakimi joined PSG from Inter Milan in 2021 for 60 million euros and extended his contract for three more years to 2029.
Mbappe had repeatedly praised Hakimi in the past as their friendship grew during their time together at Parc des Princes. The pair even faced off in a 2022 World Cup semifinal in Qatar, where France defeated Morocco 2-0; Morocco later finished fourth after losing to Croatia in the third-place match, a historic run for an Arab or African side since the 1930 World Cup.
Hakimi subsequently addressed his readiness for the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, which runs from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026 across Rabat, Casablanca, Fez, Marrakech, Tangier and Agadir. The Atlas Lions open Group A with matches against Comoros, Mali and Zambia on December 21, 26 and 29.
The 26-year-old, who has been sidelined by a left-ankle injury sustained in a clash with Louis Diaz of Bayern Munich in the Champions League, is chasing a strong comeback ahead of the tournament. The Bayern victory 2-1 at the Parc des Princes came with Diaz scoring and receiving a red card for the foul on Hakimi. Hakimi appeared at the CAF awards on an electric scooter, with his left foot not touching the ground, as he accepted the prize.
Hakimi declared: "I am extremely proud to win this award. More importantly for me is helping Morocco win the Africa Cup of Nations at home." Mbappe added: "Our AFCON date is coming; we'll win the title and celebrate together." Hakimi's triumph crowns a season in which Paris Saint-Germain collected five major trophies — Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, the French Super Cup, the UEFA Super Cup and the UEFA Champions League — a historic haul for the club.
Punchline 1: If football were a sniper, Hakimi would never miss a target — precision, pace, and a smile to match.
Punchline 2: They say time flies when you’re winning trophies; Hakimi must have a jetpack, because every season is a highlight reel that lands on your feed.
