Latest news with #Marc-VivienFoéPrize
Morocco World
2 days ago
- Sport
- Morocco World
AFP: Achraf Hakimi Stakes His Claim as Strong Ballon d'Or Contender
Rabat — While much of the spotlight at Paris Saint-Germain falls on Ousmane Dembélé, Moroccan full-back Achraf Hakimi has been quietly making a compelling case for himself as a serious contender for this year's Ballon d'Or. AFP released a recent report extolling the Moroccan international, saying he has strengthened his bid with standout performances throughout the season, including a strong showing at the Club World Cup. The prestigious award, which will be presented on September 22, has rarely gone to a defender — and never to a full-back. At the start of the season, Hakimi's name was far from any shortlist of likely winners. Yet week after week, the 26-year-old has impressed with remarkable consistency, outshining even his more celebrated teammate Dembélé, who himself has enjoyed a prolific, goal-filled campaign. Hakimi has embodied the qualities of the modern full-back: blistering pace, relentless runs up and down the flank, pinpoint passing and crossing, and sharp tactical awareness. His exceptional fitness — which he credits to both natural ability and meticulous preparation — has also been key. 'It's something God gave me — this cardio power for sustained effort,' he told reporters in May. 'I also have a personal trainer and nutritionist, and the coach has managed my playing time well so I can always stay in top shape.' This season has also seen Hakimi tactically, evolve, cutting inside more often to combine with teammates or switch play across the field — a reflection of his ability to bring coach Luis Enrique's vision to life. 'Luis Enrique has taken my game to a level I didn't think possible,' Hakimi admitted. 'He helped me become a more complete player.' Typically reserved with the media, the Moroccan defender nevertheless acknowledged the personal and professional growth he has experienced this year. 'I'm very happy with my season, one of my best. I've grown both as a footballer and as a person. I feel more confident, more mature, and more experienced,' he said. Even his coach has heaped praise on him, saying: 'I've never seen a better right-back — he has enormous potential and still room to grow.' Asked about the Ballon d'Or, Luis Enrique mentioned Dembélé first but quickly added Hakimi's name to the conversation. Statistically, Hakimi's contributions speak volumes: 11 goals and 14 assists in 52 matches. Despite also competing at the Paris Olympics, he has finished the season strongly, already netting twice at the Club World Cup. To crown his extraordinary campaign, Hakimi won the Marc-Vivien Foé Prize, awarded by RFI and France 24 to the best African player in Ligue 1, chosen by a panel of 100 jurors. In the shadow of PSG's star-studded lineup, Hakimi has emerged as one of the club's most indispensable players — and, a legitimate Ballon d'Or contender. Tags: Achraf HakimiAtlas Lion Achraf Hakimihakimi ballon d'orPSG Hakimi
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Morocco's Achraf Hakimi named African player of the year in Ligue 1
Paris Saint-Germain's Moroccan right-back Achraf Hakimi has won the Marc-Vivien Foé Prize awarded by FRANCE 24 and RFI to the best African player in the French league. PSG defender Achraf Hakimi has been voted the top African player in Ligue 1 after helping his club win the title and reach the Champions League final. The 26-year-old Moroccan won the Marc-Vivien Foé Prize on Monday ahead of Nice forward Evann Guessand, from Ivory Coast, and Strasbourg midfielder Habib Diarra, from Senegal. He succeeds Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who won the honour in 2024 when playing for Marseille. The prize is named after Foé, the popular Cameroon player and two-time African champion who collapsed and died on a field in France in 2003 while playing for his country. Hakimi, regarded as one of the best right-backs in the world, scored as the Paris side defeated Arsenal 2-1 last week in their Champions League semi-final second leg. PSG are hoping for their first-ever treble. In addition to the Champions League final against Inter Milan on May 31, they face Reims the week before in the French Cup final. Hakimi is the second defender to win the award after Congolese player Chancel Mbemba in 2023. He's also the fourth Moroccan, following Marouane Chamakh in 2009, Younès Belhanda in 2012 and Sofiane Boufal in 2016. Read more on FRANCE 24 EnglishRead also:PSG vs Arsenal: How 'quiet revolution' took Paris to brink of Champions League finalPSG, Morocco football star Hakimi placed under formal investigation over rape allegations
France 24
12-05-2025
- Sport
- France 24
Morocco's Achraf Hakimi named African player of the year in Ligue 1
PSG defender Achraf Hakimi has been voted the top African player in Ligue 1 after helping his club win the title and reach the Champions League final. The 26-year-old Moroccan won the Marc-Vivien Foé Prize on Monday ahead of Nice forward Evann Guessand, from Ivory Coast, and Strasbourg midfielder Habib Diarra, from Senegal. He succeeds Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who won the honour in 2024 when playing for Marseille. The prize is named after Foé, the popular Cameroon player and two-time African champion who collapsed and died on a field in France in 2003 while playing for his country. Hakimi, regarded as one of the best right-backs in the world, scored as the Paris side defeated Arsenal 2-1 last week in their Champions League semifinal second leg. PSG are hoping for their first-ever treble. In addition to the Champions League final against Inter Milan on May 31, they face Reims the week before in the French Cup final. Hakimi is the second defender to win the award after Congolese player Chancel Mbemba in 2023. He's also the fourth Moroccan, following Marouane Chamakh in 2009, Younès Belhanda in 2012 and Sofiane Boufal in 2016. The PSG right-back was a key player in the Moroccan team that made history in 2022 by becoming the first African squad to reach the semi-finals of a World Cup. He has faced a criminal investigation in France since March 2023 over rape allegations he denies. The player's lawyer says Hakimi was the victim of "attempted racketeering".
Morocco World
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Morocco World
Achraf Hakimi Wins Best African Player Award in French League
Rabat – Atlas Lion Achraf Hakimi has been named the best African player in France's Ligue 1 for the 2024–2025 season. The award, known as the Marc-Vivien Foé Prize, is given by Radio France Internationale (RFI) and France 24. The news was officially announced on Monday. RFI described Hakimi as an 'exceptional athlete who combines speed, precision, and efficiency down the flank, he joyfully abandons to storm the penalty area, a territory he competes for with the forwards.' Hakimi, who plays for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), had an impressive season. He helped his team win the French league title for the third year in a row. According to RFI and France 24, Hakimi earned the prize this year because of his outstanding and consistent performances with PSG, both in domestic and international competitions. He played a key role in the club's success this season, standing out as one of the best defenders in Europe. 'It's a source of pride for me to join the ranks of great players who have won this award,' Hakimi said upon receiving the Marc-Vivien Foé Award. 'It's a reward for the season I'm having, and for the one PSG is having too,' he added. The Moroccan international is also preparing to play in two big finals this month: the French Cup final against Stade de Reims on May 24, and the UEFA Champions League final against Inter Milan on May 31. Later this year, Hakimi will also take part in the Club World Cup in the United States. The Marc-Vivien Foé award is named after the late Cameroonian footballer who passed away in 2003 during a match in the Confederations Cup in France. Hakimi is now the fourth Moroccan player to win this award after Marouane Chamakh in 2009, Younès Belhanda in 2012, and Sofiane Boufal in 2016. Tags: Achraf HakimiFootballsports
Ya Biladi
02-04-2025
- Sport
- Ya Biladi
Hakimi and Ben Seghir compete for Marc-Vivien Foé Prize in Ligue 1
France 24 and RFI unveiled on Tuesday the list of 12 finalists for the Marc-Vivien Foé Prize, which annually honors the best African player in Ligue 1. Among the nominees are Moroccans Achraf Hakimi (PSG), Amine Gouiri (OM), and Eliesse Ben Seghir (Monaco). The successor to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who won the award in 2024 while playing for OM, will be announced on May 12 following a vote by a panel of specialized journalists. Established in 2009, the award pays tribute to Cameroonian international Marc-Vivien Foé, who tragically passed away during a match at the 2003 Confederations Cup in France. Achraf Hakimi (PSG, 26) is one of the favorites, having established himself as a key player since joining the club in 2021. On Monaco's side, young Moroccan midfielder Eliesse Ben Seghir (20) has been making a name for himself, as has his Senegalese teammate Lamine Camara (21). Amine Gouiri, an Algerian forward who joined OM in January, has quickly secured his place in the squad. His compatriot Himad Abdelli (Angers, 25) is considered one of the season's standout performers. Ivory Coast has three representatives: goalkeeper Yahia Fofana (Angers, 24), Nice forward Evann Guessand (23), who is enjoying his best season yet, and attacking midfielder Hamed Junior Traoré (AJ Auxerre, 25). Senegal is also well represented, with Lamine Camara joined by Strasbourg midfielder Habib Diarra and Lyon defender Moussa Niakhaté (29). Rounding out the list are Nigerian winger Moses Simon (FC Nantes, 29), now in his sixth season with the Canaries, and Abdoulaye Touré (Le Havre, 31), the oldest nominee in this edition.
