Rival clubs and former PSG stars, including Mbappe, celebrate Achraf Hakimi's crowning as African Player of the Year 2025.
Crowned African Player of the Year 2025 on Wednesday night in Rabat, Achraf Hakimi received congratulations from several PSG teammates and others. His Moroccan compatriot and Olympique de Marseille defender Nayef Aguerd also congratulated him, as did his friends Ethan and Kylian Mbappe.
Africa has a new King, and he is Parisian. On Wednesday night in Rabat, Morocco, Achraf Hakimi became the second Parisian in history to win the African Ballon d'Or, 31 years after George Weah. The exceptional 2024/2025 season of the PSG right-back earned him the title of African Player of the Year 2025 in his home country, ahead of Egyptian Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) and Nigerian Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray).
A consecration for Hakimi, currently injured and who came to the ceremony on a scooter to protect his left ankle. On social media, the Parisian received many congratulatory messages, notably from Paris. In addition to PSG's official account, Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, Ibrahim Mbaye, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia hailed a "deserved" coronation.
Very close to the Moroccan, the Mbappe brothers, Ethan and Kylian, also had a short congratulatory message for him on Instagram, with the France captain paying homage to the new "King of Africa."
A legend of African football, former Marseille player Didier Drogba, also congratulated "King" Hakimi, as did his Moroccan compatriot Nayef Aguerd, who has been playing for OM this season. Several other players from the Moroccan national team also had a word for their captain, whom they hope to have back in time for the Africa Cup of Nations, which will be played in Morocco starting Dec. 21.
It is also worth noting that PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi traveled to Rabat on Wednesday night to attend his player's coronation. Finally, PSG also unveiled a T-shirt in Hakimi's honor following his achievement, available in the club's online store.