Unfairly ranked sixth in the France Football Ballon d’Or, Achraf Hakimi finally had his 2024-2025 season recognized at its true value on Wednesday, November 19 in Rabat, when he received the African Ballon d’Or during a ceremony that celebrated Moroccan football as a whole.

« I’m proud to win this prestigious trophy. I dedicate this award to all African and Moroccan children who dream of becoming footballers, and to everyone who believed in me every day, » Achraf Hakimi said modestly.

« I would like to thank His Majesty King Mohammed VI for his constant support of Moroccan football, and PSG president Nasser El-Khelaïfi for his trust. I am equally grateful to my PSG teammates and the staff, who have helped me become both a better player and a better person, » he added.

« I would also like to thank FRMF president Fouzi Lekjaa. We are proud to have you as our president, and I hope you will also be proud during the conquest of the 2025 AFCON, which is even more important than the Ballon d’Or. I know I can sometimes be a difficult player, but I want to congratulate my coach, Walid Regragui, for his management and trust, » he concluded.

Winner of the Champions League, Ligue 1, the French Cup, and the UEFA Super Cup with Paris Saint-Germain, the Moroccan full‑back was a key figure to his team’s outstanding campaign, tallying 11 goals and 16 assists in 55 appearances.

Severely injured in the ankle two weeks ago, the national team captain is in a race against time to recover before the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, which kicks off on Sunday, December 21 in Rabat.

Yassine Bounou and Ghizlane Chebbak Among the Awardees

This award will undoubtedly serve as a boost, just as it did for all Moroccan players honored that evening, starting with Ghizlane Chebbak, who was named African Women’s Player of the Year.

« This trophy brings me great joy and rewards all the efforts I have made. I want to thank my teammates and my family for their support. I hope young girls will continue to believe in themselves, because with hard work and dedication this trophy is within their reach, » the midfielder said.

Yassine Bounou, meanwhile, was named Goalkeeper of the Year, a recognition earned through his outstanding performances at the Club World Cup with Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia.

Doha El Madani (ASFAR) was named Young African Women’s Player of the Year for the second consecutive time.

As for Othmane Maama, crowned Best Young Player in the World after his triumph at the U20 World Cup, he has now been named African Young Player of the Year.

A victory that resonated across the African continent led CAF to honor Mohamed Ouahbi’s men with the award for National Men’s Team of the Year

Pyramids FC Named Club of the Year

However, in the realm of interclub honors, Morocco was overlooked: Pyramids FC was named Club of the Year, while the CAF Interclubs Player of the Year title went to Congolese striker Fiston Mayele of Egypt’s Pyramids FC.

« Mohamed Chibi also deserved it, he is an exceptional player, even if today it was me who was chosen, » smiled the Congolese.

CAF ultimately awarded the African Coach of the Year prize to Bubista, who guided Cape Verde to its first-ever World Cup qualification.

By defeating Morocco in the final of the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, Nigeria was crowned Women’s National Team of the Year.

The Goal of the Year award went to Tanzanian forward Clement Mzize, recognized for his sublime strike for Young Africans against TP Mazembe in the CAF Champions League.

The referees were also honored. In the women’s category, Ugandan Shamirah Nabadda was named Referee of the Year, while Senegal’s Tabara Mbodji received the award for Best Assistant Referee.

On the men’s side, East Africa took the spotlight, with Somalia’s Omar Abdulkadir designated Referee of the Year and Djibouti’s Liban Abdourazak recognized as Best Assistant Referee.

Here is the full list of titles awarded:

– African Player of the Year (Ballon d’Or): Achraf Hakimi (Morocco) ;

– African Women’s Player of the Year (Ballon d’Or): Ghizlane Chebbak (Morocco) ;

– Best African Goalkeeper: Yassine Bounou (Morocco) ;

– African Young Player of the Year: Othmane Maama (Morocco) ;

– African Women’s Young Player of the Year : Doha El Madani (ASFAR) ;

– National Men’s Team of the Year: U20 Morocco ;

– National Women’s Team of the Year: Nigeria ;

– African Coach of the Year: Bubista (Cape Verde) ;

– Interclubs Club of the Year: Pyramids FC (Egypt) ;

– CAF Interclubs Player of the Year: Fiston Mayele (DRC, Pyramids FC) ;

– Goal of the Year: Clement Mzize (Tanzania, Young Africans) ;

– Female Referee of the Year: Shamirah Nabadda (Uganda) ;

– Female Assistant Referee of the Year: Tabara Mbodji (Senegal) ;

– Male Referee of the Year: Omar Abdulkadir (Somalia) ;

– Male Assistant Referee of the Year: Liban Abdourazak (Djibouti) ;

– CAF President’s Special Award: William Ruto (President of Kenya, co-host of the last CHAN and the 2027 AFCON).