Achraf Hakimi wins Marc-Vivien Foé prize as Ligue 1’s best African player

Paris Saint-Germain’s Achraf Hakimi has claimed the 2024 Marc-Vivien Foé Award, crowning him as the best African player in Ligue 1. The Moroccan right-back, last season’s runner-up, dominated the voting with 364 points, far ahead of Ivory Coast’s Evann Guessand (165) and Senegal’s Habib Diarra (43).

Hakimi, named in the UNFP Team of the Year, earned podium spots on 97.5% of ballots from an 80-member jury, including Sport News Africa. A four-time nominee since joining PSG in 2021, he succeeds Gabon’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Notably, he becomes PSG’s first African winner despite the club’s decade-long domestic dominance.

The 25-year-old follows Moroccan predecessors Marouane Chamakh, Younès Belhanda, and Sofiane Boufal, while joining Congo’s Chancel Mbemba as only the second defender to win.

Key figure for PSG

Hakimi, PSG’s vice-captain, has been instrumental this season with 7 goals and 14 assists across all competitions. « A huge pride to see my work rewarded, » he told RFI. With a Coupe de France final and Champions League decider ahead, his form could prove decisive.

Now, Hakimi may set his sights on CAF’s African Player of the Year award—adding another milestone to his rising legacy.