PSG star Achraf Hakimi is crowned the player of the year on the African continent

Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi was named African Player of the Year on Wednesday, capping a remarkable season in which he won the Champions League with Paris Saint-Germain.

The 27-year-old defender also added a fourth Ligue 1 title, the Coupe de France and the UEFA Super Cup to his collection, although PSG were knocked out in the Club World Cup final, where Hakimi settled for second place in New York.

Hakimi beat two previous winners of the award – Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen – to win the trophy for the first time in his career.

“It’s a real honor for me to be here today. I’m proud of this prestigious trophy,” said Hakimi, who thanked his family, teammates and Morocco coach Walid Regragui.

Currently, the PSG star is recovering from a serious ankle injury, but if he returns in time, he is expected to lead Morocco in the Africa Cup of Nations that starts on December 21. The “Atlas Lions” are aiming for their first triumph since 1976.