Moroccan Star Wins Best African Player Award in French Ligue 1

Moroccan footballer Achraf Hakimi, defender for Paris Saint-Germain, has been crowned the Best African Player in France’s Ligue 1, following his significant contribution to securing the club’s 13th league title—further extending its record.

Hakimi, 26, received the prestigious “Marc-Vivien Foé” award, outperforming fellow nominees Ivorian striker Evann Guessand of Nice and Senegalese midfielder Habib Diarra of Strasbourg.

The award is named after the late Cameroonian international Marc-Vivien Foé, a two-time Africa Cup of Nations champion, who tragically passed away on the pitch in France during an international match in 2003.

Hakimi becomes only the second defender to win the award, following Congolese player Chancel Mbemba in 2023. He is also the fourth Moroccan to receive the honor, joining the ranks of Marouane Chamakh (2009), Younès Belhanda (2012), and Sofiane Boufal (2016). Last year’s winner was Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.