PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi proud of Achraf Hakimi after CAF Player of the Year triumph

President of Paris Saint Germain, Nasser Al-Khelaifi has praised Moroccan star Achraf Hakimi after being crowned as the African Footballer of the Year.

Hakimi won the African Player of the Year award, beating out Mohamed Salah, the Liverpool and Egypt star who won the award twice in 2017 and 2018, and Nigerian Victor Osimhen, the Galatasaray striker who won the same award in 2013 when he was playing for Napoli on Wednesday at the 2025 CAF awards, held in Morocco.

The pacey defender’s outstanding contribution for club and country paid off, clinching the covetous accolade on home soil. Hakimi played a pivotal role for Paris Saint-Germain, helping the club to secured historic treble last season.

His contributions were central to PSG’s victories in the Champions League, Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, the Trophée des Champions and the UEFA Super Cup.

Beyond his domestic and European success, Hakimi also proved instrumental in guiding Morocco to qualification for the 2026 World Cup, adding weight to a campaign marked by excellence and consistency.

“For me, Achraf Hakimi is one of the best players in the world, and the best African player without a doubt. He is a leader at Paris Saint-Germain and a leader of Morocco, we are all proud of him.”

The former Real Madrid defender becomes the second Moroccan player to secure the African Footballer of the Year award after Mustapha Hadji, who won it back in 1998.

Hakimi is currently injured, but hopes to recover in time for the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations tournament to be staged in Morocco between December 2025 and January 2026.