The Moroccan full-back succeeds Ademola Lookman on the honors list. Last season, Hakimi won the UEFA Champions League, Ligue 1, French Cup and Super Cup with his club, playing a key role with his attacking style.
He finished sixth at the Ballon d’Or ceremony, but on Wednesday in Rabat, Morocco, at the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Awards, the defender lifted his continent’s most important individual trophy: African Footballer of the Year, earning more votes than Eygpy’s Mo Salah and Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen.
He is the first defender since Bwanga Tshimen to be named the continent’s best player; the Democratic Republic of Congo received the honor 52 years ago.
Hakimi said: “It is truly a proud moment for me to win this prestigious award. This trophy is not only for me, but for all the strong men and women who dream of becoming a footballer in Africa. And for those who always believed in me since I was a child, that one day I would become a professional footballer.”
Moroccan stars won several awards, including Women’s Footballer of the Year for Saudi striker Ghizlane Chebbak and Goalkeeper of the Year for Al-Hilal’s Yassine Bounou.
Cape Verde’s Bubista won Coach of the Year after leading the island nation to its first World Cup ticket.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino was also present at the CAF Awards.
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at force.l1763633970laboratory1763633970ofdlr1763633970are1763633970sni@i1763633970tnuk.1763633970ardni1763633970But1763633970
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