Hakimi Shatters Records! Will He Clinch African Footballer of the Year?
Achraf Hakimi is having a stellar season! The PSG and Moroccan right-back is not only turning heads with his performances but also breaking records. At 26 years old, Hakimi is proving to be a force to be reckoned with under the guidance of Luis Enrique.
Record-Breaking Season
Hakimi's contribution to PSG has been immense. He recently surpassed Dani Alves' record for direct goal contributions by a defender, previously held by Alves during his time with Pep Guardiola's Barcelona in 2010-11. Hakimi's current tally stands at 26, comprising 11 goals and 15 assists across all competitions in the 2024-25 season. This includes a crucial assist to Ousmane Dembélé, securing PSG's spot in the Club World Cup semi-final against Bayern Munich.
African Footballer of the Year?
But the accolades might not stop there. Many believe Hakimi is the frontrunner for the African Footballer of the Year award in 2025. Moroccan legend Mohamed Timoumi, who won the award in 1985, has publicly stated his conviction that Hakimi deserves the trophy. Timoumi highlighted Hakimi's consistency, decisiveness, and leadership qualities as key factors.
Timoumi's Endorsement
"Hakimi already deserved this African Ballon d'Or since last season. This season with PSG, he is the most regular player, the most decisive. He has contributed on several occasions to the successes of the Parisian club. We have seen him score in the league, in the Champions League, in the French Cup and even with the national team," Timoumi said.
- 53 appearances in all competitions
- 4 goals and 12 assists in Ligue 1
- 9 goals in the Champions League
- 2 goals and 1 assist in the French Cup
Hakimi's impressive stats speak for themselves. With crucial matches still to come, including a semi-final clash against Real Madrid in the Club World Cup, he has the opportunity to further solidify his claim for both individual and team honours. Will he take home the African Footballer of the Year award? Time will tell.