Morocco head coach Walid Regragui has praised Achraf Hakimi following the defender’s commanding win in the 2025 Marc-Vivien Foé Award and voiced his belief that the Paris Saint-Germain star could one day lift the Ballon d’Or.
Hakimi, 26, comfortably secured the prestigious title, which celebrates the best African player in France’s top division, finishing well ahead of fellow finalists Evann Guessand of Ivory Coast and Senegal’s Habib Diarra.
In an interview with Radio France Internationale (RFI), Regragui lauded Hakimi’s continued influence both at club level with PSG and on the international stage with the Atlas Lions, calling the full-back “indispensable.”
“I told him: Congratulations, it’s fully deserved,” Regragui said. “We would have liked him to win the African Ballon d’Or. We’ll be satisfied with this title, which isn’t a cheap one. He’ll continue to win the African Ballon d’Or and why not the France Football Ballon d’Or.”
Hakimi, who now has 83 international caps and 10 goals for Morocco, has long been a central figure in the national setup and is increasingly seen as a leading ambassador for African football in Europe.
Regragui acknowledged the challenges defenders face in competing for the sport’s most coveted individual award but remained optimistic.
“Even if it’s complicated in his position, we saw Rodri, a key midfielder, win it. Maybe there’s another change and we’ll give it to a right-back who has won the Champions League, the French championship, and who can win the AFCON. Why not, anything goes.”
Hakimi’s consistent performances have made him a cornerstone of Luis Enrique’s PSG side, contributing at both ends of the pitch with his pace, precision, and relentless work rate.
Prix Marc-Vivien Foé: « Hakimi, c’est notre leader », confie le sélectionneur du Maroc, Walid Regragui https://t.co/0jVgN6ATbJ pic.twitter.com/M98jVGdDHh
— Afrique Foot (@Foot_Afrique) May 12, 2025
His growing list of accolades, including this latest Marc-Vivien Foé honour, has reinforced his reputation as one of the top right-backs in world football.
The recognition also arrives at a crucial juncture for Hakimi, with major international and club competitions on the horizon—including the Africa Cup of Nations—potentially boosting his credentials for the global stage.
For Regragui, the path is clear: if the trophies keep coming and Hakimi maintains his current trajectory, the possibility of a defender standing on the Ballon d’Or podium may no longer be so far-fetched.
