Achraf Hakimi, Mohamed Salah and Serhou Guirassy headline African charge for 2025 Ballon d’Or

Three of Africa’s biggest footballing names – Achraf Hakimi, Mohamed Salah and Serhou Guirassy – have emerged as headline contenders for the 2025 Ballon d’Or on Monday night after stellar seasons at club and international level.

Each has posted eye-catching numbers and defining performances that have put them firmly in the conversation for the game’s most prestigious individual prize.

Achraf Hakimi’s 2024/25 campaign has been a career-defining one. The Moroccan right-back was a cornerstone of Paris Saint-Germain’s treble-winning season, helping the French champions to a historic first UEFA Champions League crown.

In 55 appearances across all competitions, Hakimi scored 11bgoals and supplied 16 assists, a staggering return for a defender.

His surging runs, tactical intelligence and defensive reliability were central to PSG’s success, while his influence continued with Morocco, where he led from the front at the 2024 Olympic Games.

He won four trophies with PSG last season.

Mohamed Salah’s brilliance shows no sign of dimming. The Egyptian forward spearheaded Liverpool’s attack, he featured in 52 games, scored 34 goals and supplied 24 more across all competitions.

His ability to produce decisive moments – whether a searing finish or a defence-splitting pass – underpinned Liverpool’s title charge and reinforced his standing as one of the sport’s most prolific and consistent stars.

He won the Premier League with the Reds last season.

For Serhou Guirassy, the past year has been a statement of arrival at the very top. After exploding at VfB Stuttgart, the Guinean striker joined Borussia Dortmund and maintained his devastating scoring touch, netting 38 goals in 50 matches during the 2024/25 campaign.

His goals have also been pivotal for Guinea in a tricky 2026 World Cup qualifying run, cementing his reputation as one of Europe’s deadliest forwards.

Collectively, the trio embody the strength and depth of African football at elite level.

As the Ballon d’Or ceremony approaches, the continent will be watching to see if 2025 marks a landmark breakthrough for one of its outstanding stars.