Osimhen, Salah Lose As Hakimi Is Crowned Player Of The Year

Paris Saint-Germain’s flying fullback Achraf Hakimi made history at Monday night’s CAF awards in Lagos after being crowned African Footballer of the Year for 2025.

The dynamic defender outshone finalists Victor Osimhen – now with Galatasaray – and Liverpool’s Egyptian king Mohamed Salah to claim African football’s highest individual honor.

Hakimi’s triumph ends Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman’s reign following his sensational season for Atalanta.

After twice finishing as runner-up in previous years, the 27-year-old Moroccan international finally claimed the top prize following a career-defining campaign.

The PSG star was instrumental in his club’s historic treble-winning season, lifting the Ligue 1 title, Coupe de France and most memorably the club’s first-ever Champions League trophy.

Despite nursing a foot injury that required heavy strapping, the determined Hakimi attended the glamorous ceremony to personally collect his well-deserved accolade.