PSG’s Achraf Hakimi reaches African Ballon d’Or final | OneFootball

Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi (27) considered the favourite to win this year’s CAF (African Football Confederation) Player of the Year award, has been confirmed as one of the three finalists. 

The Morocco international is one of three finalists, alongside Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen. Hakimi had an excellent season with PSG, winning the UEFA Champions League, Ligue 1, Coupe de France, and Trophée des Champions titles. 

And on an individual level, he finished sixth in the Ballon d’Or, making him the highest-ranked defender this year. Hakimi has never won the African Ballon d’Or, despite making the final in 2023 and 2024. 

Hakimi’s season in numbers

No defender in Europe’s top five leagues made more goal contributions than Hakimi (30) last year, and only Inter Milan’s Denzel Dumfries (14) scored more goals than the PSG defender (13). The Morocco international also ranks only behind Liverpool’s Virgil Van Dijk in terms of successful passes by defenders, whilst no defender had more touches in the opposition box than Hakimi.

He also ranks highest in Europe’s top five leagues in terms of shots on target and in terms of assists. The winner of the award will be announced on Wednesday. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle