Achraf Hakimi won the African Ballon d’Or 2025 without surprise after an exceptional season with PSG, marked by a Champions League title, a national treble, a European Super Cup, and a Club World Cup final. Scoring 11 goals and providing 16 assists in 55 matches, he served as vice-captain behind Marquinhos, significantly outpacing Mohamed Salah, Victor Osimhen, and Serhou Guirassy.
Becoming the 5th Moroccan player to be honored, the first since Mustapha Hadji in 1998, Hakimi took to the stage at Mohammed VI University in Rabat with a orthopedic boot due to injury. He stated:
“It is a true honor to be here and to receive this global and African trophy. This trophy is not just for me but for all Africans.”
“I hope we will bring back an even bigger trophy.”
Very emotional, he continued: “This is a dream. There are people who have believed in me since I was young. I must thank all these people. I also thank His Majesty King Mohammed VI. I want to thank my president Nasser Al-Khelaïfi. I thank all my PSG teammates, Luis Enrique. I must thank the president of the federation. I hope we will bring this trophy here to Morocco. I also thank my coach Walid (Regragui).”
Already looking ahead to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, hosted in Morocco, he added: “I also thank my partners; this trophy is also for them, and I hope we will bring back an even bigger trophy. I am proud to be Moroccan, to come from Morocco, and to be a Moroccan footballer.”
Hakimi now has a month to regain full fitness and attempt to bring Morocco a Cup of Nations title that has been awaited since 1976.
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