Achraf Hakimi has been the best right back in Europe this season. The Moroccan fullback played an instrumental role in Paris Saint-Germain’s treble-winning campaign.
The Morocco team captain was one of the best players for PSG as they destroyed Inter Milan in the UCL final, his early goal setting the tone for Luis Enrique’s side’s rout of Inter. The much-anticipated final unraveled as a one-sided show for the Parisians following Hakimi’s 12th-minute opener. Unmarked in the box, Hakimi tapped Desire Doue’s pass across the face of the goal into the net, sending the traveling French fans into pure ecstasy. Hakimi became the first player to score against a former club in a UCL final with his opening goal, opting against celebrating his goal.
On a magical night for PSG, Hakimi recorded more touches than any other player, creating two goal-scoring chances. His precise runs set the stage for Doue’s outstanding performance, leaving acres of space for the French winger to exploit. Hakimi etched his name into the history books on a night when numerous records were shattered. The Atlas Lion became the first goal scorer for a French club in the European Cup final since 1996, as PSG became the first French UCL winner since Olympique Marseille in 1993.
The last 12 months have been memorable for Achraf Hakimi as he has picked up winners’ medals in Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, the Trophée des Champions with PSG, and an Olympic bronze medal with Morocco. He has grown to prominence within the Parisian squad and was named vice-captain behind Marquinhos at the start of the season.
His stellar form in the UCL played a significant role in helping The French Champions clinch their maiden UCL title. Apart from the monstrous Serhou Guirassy and the brilliant Ademola Lookman, no African player recorded more goals than Hakimi in the 2024/2025 UCL campaign, while his five assists were the most of any African player in the competition and the joint-third highest this campaign. He registered the highest number of goal contributions among defenders in the Champions League with nine.
In Ligue 1, Hakimi recorded four goals and 6 assists across 25 league appearances. Jonathan Clauss was the only defender who recorded more goal involvements than him. He was the only defender in Ligue 1 with 4+ goals and 4+ assists. The marauding full-back, often seen bobbing up and down the right flank, was a vital cog in Luis Enrique’s well-drilled team this season, making the second-highest number of appearances for the Parisian side across all competitions.
His knack for popping up at the right places proved decisive for PSG this season. He netted clutch goals in the UCL quarter-finals, semifinals, and final en route to PSG’s triumph, striking decisively against Aston Villa, Arsenal, and Inter Milan, respectively. Subsequently, he became the second African player in history to do so since Sadio Mané in 2018. This season, he registered 19 goal involvements across Ligue 1 and the Champions League. His goal in the closing minutes of the first half against Stade De Reims in the final of the Coupe de France confirmed PSG as the winner of the French Cup.
Following PSG’s UCL triumph, he became the second African player in history, after the legendary Samuel Eto’o, to win the UCL with multiple clubs. Subsequently, he joined an elite company of Samuel Eto’o, Riyad Mahrez, Seydou Keita, Yaya Toure, and Sulley Muntari as the six African players to have won a prestigious continental treble. He also joined the ranks of Africans who have won multiple European titles. He was deservedly included in the UCL and Ligue 1 Team of the Season.
At 26, he has established himself as one of the finest full-backs in the world. He has yet to realize his full potential, and with his drive, determination, and hard work, he will only get better in the coming seasons. His success with PSG has put him in the running for the African Player of the Year Award, going toe-to-toe with Mohamed Salah and Victor Osimhen as favourites for the award. Take a bow, Hakimi.
