Achraf Hakimi stood on one foot and on top of a continent as he lifted the 2025 African Footballer of the Year award in Rabat. His smile told one story and his injured ankle told another, yet both captured a night that belonged to Morocco. It was an evening filled with pride, emotion, and a rare double that will be remembered for years.
Hakimi’s triumph felt like the final chapter of a remarkable season. He pushed Paris Saint Germain to the Ligue 1 title and helped them win their first Champions League crown in dominant fashion. His opener in the 5-0 win over Inter Milan in the final summed up his impact in a team filled with superstars.
He also produced extraordinary numbers across Europe. He registered 30 goal contributions, the most by any defender in the top five leagues. Only Virgil van Dijk completed more passes, which underlined Hakimi’s evolution from a talented prospect to a complete modern full back.
The award came after years of near misses. He finished behind others in 2023 and 2024, but this time he beat Mohamed Salah and Victor Osimhen. The last Moroccan to take the crown was Mustapha Hadji in 1998, which added emotional weight to Hakimi’s win.
“It is really an honour for me to win this prestigious trophy,” he said. “This trophy is not just for me, it is for all the Africans that have dreams.” His words echoed around the arena as he stepped carefully across the stage without placing weight on his injured left foot.
His injury now threatens to overshadow Morocco’s build up to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on home soil. He damaged ankle ligaments against Bayern Munich earlier this month. Still, he insisted he would fight for fitness because the country has waited since 1976 to win the title again.
“We will do our best to win the Afcon trophy,” he added. The crowd rose with him, sensing both hope and concern as he thanked his physiotherapists. For many in Rabat, his determination meant as much as the award itself.
Morocco’s joy doubled when Ghizlane Chebbak won the women’s prize. She is the first Moroccan woman to take the award since its creation in 2001. Her goals at the delayed 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and her stunning strike in the final showed her quality even though Morocco lost 3-2 to Nigeria.
“I am extremely delighted to receive this award,” she said. Her voice reflected years of persistence and leadership. Nigeria found consolation when Chiamaka Nnadozie won the women’s goalkeeper prize for the third straight year.
Cape Verde’s Bubista won men’s coach of the year after leading his country to a first World Cup. “This is amazing,” he said. His pride captured the spirit of a night that celebrated both giants and underdogs.
Morocco’s Othmane Maamma added to the host nation’s joy by winning the men’s young player award after shining in their Under 20 World Cup success. The ceremony closed with standing ovations for three East African presidents for their role in hosting the 2024 African Nations Championship.
