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LOVE FOR ACHRAF HAKIMI: KYLIAN MBAPPé CALLS HIM AFRICA'S ULTIMATE STAR

PSG's Achraf Hakimi wins 2025 African Player of the Year, beating Mohamed Salah & Victor Osimhen. The Moroccan star was honoured in Rabat after a trophy-laden season, receiving a heartfelt tribute from Kylian Mbappé.

Love For Achraf Hakimi: Kylian Mbappé Calls Him Africa's Ultimate Star
Mbappé Showers Hakimi With Praise

Following an outstanding season with Paris Saint-Germain, Achraf Hakimi was awarded the African Player of the Year honour in Rabat, surpassing both Mohamed Salah and Victor Osimhen. His close friend Kylian Mbappe expressed his admiration by referring to him as "The King of Africa" in a heartfelt message celebrating his achievement. The bond they formed at PSG and continued despite their varying career paths was once again apparent.

Hakimi claimed the title of African Player of the Year. At the CAF Awards 2025 held in Rabat, Moroccan star Hakimi received the African Player of the Year award, marking one of the highest honours of his professional journey. After an exceptional 2024–25 season with PSG, he won the award for the first time, outpacing Osimhen and Liverpool icon Salah. For a player who has dedicated years to ascending in the sport, this moment symbolised significant recognition.

Hakimi became only the fifth Moroccan player to earn this honour at the ceremony, conducted at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University. His home fans in the capital were beaming with pride. Already recognised as one of the season's top performers, the defender had celebrated victories in the Champions League, another Ligue 1 title, the Coupe de France, and the UEFA Super Cup with PSG.

Fans were captivated by Hakimi's entrance to the event on a scooter, which showcased his determination to attend despite being injured. He had recently recovered from a severe ankle sprain caused by a tough tackle in the Champions League. "It is genuinely an honour for me to be present today, and I am thrilled to receive such a prestigious award," he stated while on stage. "This trophy is not solely for me; it also belongs to all the resilient African men and women who dream of becoming football players."

Mbappe's tribute to Hakimi: "The king of Africa." Shortly after Hakimi lifted the trophy, Mbappe shared one of the evening's most cherished messages on Instagram. "I love you, my brother," the Real Madrid star wrote alongside a photo of Hakimi holding the golden ball. "King of Africa. Congratulations, dear brother! This award is thoroughly deserved."

By including Moroccan flag emojis, the French forward heightened the emotional resonance and reaffirmed the strength of their friendship during their tenure at PSG from 2021 to 2024. Their three seasons at Parc des Princes, where they frequently travelled together, celebrated their goals, and openly supported one another, contributed to the deepening of their connection.

Mbappe's tribute stood out, especially because, although Hakimi ranked higher in the latest Ballon d'Or standings, Mbappe conveyed nothing but admiration, reflecting their deep mutual respect. Despite currently playing for different teams, their connection remains one of the strongest in professional football. 

Hakimi's accomplishments stem from years of consistent success, both at the club level and internationally. At PSG, he has emerged as one of Europe's most well-rounded full-backs, showcasing a remarkable blend of blistering speed, exceptional defensive capabilities, and a growing sense of leadership. His Champions League triumph last season capped an extraordinary period in which he delivered stellar performances under pressure. 

On the international stage, Hakimi is still a pivotal figure for the Moroccan national team. He was instrumental in the Atlas Lions' remarkable journey to the semifinals of the 2022 World Cup, making them the first African squad to reach that level. Since then, his leadership role has intensified, with head coach Walid Regragui relying heavily on his contributions both on and off the pitch.

Currently, the defender is recovering from a serious ankle injury, yet he remains hopeful about returning in time for Morocco's hosting of the Africa Cup of Nations. Winning the AFCON title at home would represent one of Hakimi's most significant professional milestones.

Looking ahead to the Africa Cup of Nations, which starts on December 21, Hakimi's primary focus is on his recovery. His overall fitness will be monitored closely, but it is expected that he will soon begin light training. Hakimi's involvement could prove vital in helping Morocco finally achieve their long-held ambition of winning the championship, a feat they have not accomplished since 1976.

For Mbappe, who is still having an excellent start to the 2025 season with Real Madrid, this occasion highlighted his leadership qualities and the strong relationships he maintains across the football world. Despite the packed schedule for Madrid, which includes La Liga, the Champions League, and the Club World Cup, the French star continues to be a crucial player for both his club and his country.

ERLING HAALAND IN PARIS? PSG REPORTEDLY ASKS TO BE KEPT INFORMED ON CITY STRIKER'S FUTURE

PSG is eyeing Erling Haaland: Discover why Ousmane Dembele is being offered to the PL after his fallout with Luis Enrique.

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PSG is rebuilding its global brand around Erling Haaland's status

Paris Saint-Germain, fresh off their European triumph, have started poking around about Erling Haaland’s future at Manchester City. That’s according to sources.

Haaland settled at City and signed a massive long-term deal just last January. But that hasn’t stopped Europe’s biggest clubs from sniffing around. Barcelona and Real Madrid, for example, both seem convinced there are release clauses in Haaland’s contract that could let him chase his dream of playing in Spain.

Sure, a move to La Liga feels like the obvious next step for Haaland someday, but PSG aren’t sitting back. They’ve now asked to be kept in the loop if anything changes with Haaland down the line.

Important detail: PSG’s interest in Haaland isn’t tied up in the drama swirling around Ousmane Dembele. Dembele’s future in Paris has gotten pretty cloudy. He ruffled feathers after a tough loss to Rennes, basically calling out his teammates for playing selfishly. “If we play as individuals, it won’t work,” he reportedly said. That didn’t exactly win him friends in the dressing room.

Manager Luis Enrique didn’t mince words, either. He called Dembele’s comments “worthless” and made it clear that no player is bigger than the club.

Things got even messier when Enrique subbed Dembele off before half an hour had passed in PSG’s Champions League match at Monaco. His replacement, Desire Doue, helped spark a comeback win of 3-2 for PSG. That turnaround didn’t do much to help Dembele’s standing.

Now, with all this tension, intermediaries have started quietly gauging interest from other clubs for Dembele. Only a handful of teams could actually afford him, and most of the early feelers have gone out to Premier League sides.

From what we’re hearing, Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool, and Chelsea have all been approached about a possible move.

Right now, it’s anyone’s guess if PSG will try to patch things up with Dembele or nudge him out the door. One thing’s for sure, though: the club’s covering all its bases. They’re keeping tabs on Haaland, even if signing him soon feels like a long shot.

INJURY MYSTERY: INSIDE THE RECURRING CALF ISSUES THREATENING OUSMANE DEMBéLé’S ELITE CAREER

Ousmane Dembélé’s season is in doubt after a calf injury vs Monaco. Discover how Désiré Doué saved PSG with a stunning 3-2 brace.

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PSG star suffers fresh injury blow in 3-2 Monaco thriller

Ousmane Dembélé’s season keeps getting rough. On Tuesday, he limped off in the first half against Monaco, adding another injury to his already frustrating year with Paris Saint-Germain.

Désiré Doué stepped in for Dembélé and immediately made things happen. He scored twice, helped set up the other goal, and suddenly PSG found themselves heading back to Paris with a 3-2 lead for next Wednesday’s return leg.

Dembélé, already dealing with a leg problem, lasted just 26 minutes at Stade Louis II. The Ballon d'Or winner has basically been fighting injuries all season. Not long before he walked off, cameras caught him rubbing the back of his left calf, then rolling down his sock. He didn’t look comfortable at all.

Coach Luis Enrique insisted he didn’t take any risks starting Dembélé. “We know how each player’s feeling. No risk, he trained like normal,” Enrique said. “We’ll see if there’s really an injury. He took a knock early, then couldn’t keep running.”

PSG actually trailed 2-0 when Dembélé left, but Doué helped turn things around by halftime.

Injuries have haunted Dembélé for a while. He went out early in the season playing for France, then had to leave the pitch early against Bayern Munich back in November. Even in Barcelona, injuries continued to get in the way.

Doué wasted no time after coming on. Two minutes later, he fired a low shot into the bottom right corner to get PSG back in it. When he celebrated, he cupped his hands over his ears, like he was tuning out all the recent criticism.

“The coach makes his choices. It’s always a team effort, win or lose,” Doué said. “The most important thing is just to win games like this.”

Before the match, Luis Enrique had actually criticised some of his star players after PSG dropped out of first place in Ligue 1 with a loss to Rennes.

Just before halftime, Doué played a big part in PSG’s equaliser. His shot was pushed away by Monaco’s keeper Philipp Köhn, but the ball bounced right to Achraf Hakimi in the box. Hakimi buried it in the bottom left corner.

Then, in the 67th minute, Doué got his second. Warren Zaïre-Emery found him at the edge of the box, and Doué slipped another low shot into the right corner.

Earlier, Köhn had kept out Vitinha’s penalty in the 22nd minute. Monaco’s Aleksandr Golovin didn’t help his team’s cause, getting sent off early for a clumsy foul on Vitinha. So, PSG’s comeback had plenty of drama and a lot of Doué.

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