PSG Star Achraf Hakimi Nominated for African Player of the Year

It's safe to say it has been another incredibly productive year for PSG full-back Achraf Hakimi over the course of 2026. 

The year started with playing a significant part in Morocco's run to the AFCON final on home soil, where they dramatically lost 1-0 to Senegal in extra-time. However, two months later, they were retrospectively handed the title, with CAF deeming Senegal to have forfeited when they walked off the pitch following a controversial penalty call. 

After that, the full-back again played no small part in PSG managing to successfully defend both their Ligue 1 and UEFA Champions League titles. He picked up an assist against Bayern Munich in the semi final first leg, and although he missed the second leg through injury, he was fit enough to play the whole 120 minutes of the final.  

Following that, he helped Morocco reach the quarter finals of the FIFA World Cup for a second successive tournament, although they could not quite reach another semi final. He scored and provided two assists along the way.  

Although the start to the 26/27 season has perhaps been slightly slow for Hakimi's very high standards, he has burst into life in recent weeks - assisting against Barcelona in the Champions League before scoring a hat-trick and providing two assists in a 5-1 win over Le Havre, scoring or assisting every single goal scored by PSG on the day. 

As a result of the defender's efforts over the year, he has been recognised by CAF with a nomination for African Player of the Year, joining fellow nominees;

Amad Diallo (Manchester United, Ivory Coast) Yoane Wissa (Newcastle United, DR Congo), Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth, Manchester City, Ghana), Ismael Saibari (PSV, Bayern Munich, Morocco), Brahim Diaz (Real Madrid, Morocco), Ismaila Sarr (Crystal Palace, Senegal), Pape Gueye (Villarreal, Senegal), Sadio Mane (Al-Nassr, Senegal), and Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa). Former PSG youngster Ibrahim Mbaye is amongst the nominees for Young Player of the Year. 

A very well deserved nomination, you have to say, and without trying to be biased, it feels like Hakimi has a strong a case as everyone else to win the award. Ligue 1, Champions League, AFCON final (or winner, depending on who you ask), World Cup quarter-finalist alongside consistent individual performances to go along with it. But let's see.

Quite the birthday present for the defender, who turns 28 today, the 4th of November 2026.