Moroccan international Achraf Hakimi is preparing this Wednesday evening to be present at the Mohammed VI International University of Multidisciplinary Studies in Rabat, where he is expected to be crowned with the African Golden Ball during the ceremony organized by the Confederation of African Football, scheduled to start at exactly 7 PM.

Hakimi is competing for the award against Egyptian Mohamed Salah and Nigerian Victor Osimhen, but various indicators and data suggest that the Paris Saint-Germain fullback will win the prize, becoming the first Moroccan to win it in years, and the first in his career after winning the Best Young Player in Africa award in 2019.

This occasion comes under special circumstances, after Hakimi suffered a worrying injury against Bayern Munich, raising doubts about his readiness for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco in December, as he is expected to be out for about eight weeks undergoing a special rehabilitation program.

Despite that, Hakimi had an exceptional season, leading Paris Saint-Germain to four major titles, which are:

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  The French League
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  The French Cup
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  The UEFA Champions League for the first time in the club’s history
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  The UEFA Super Cup

The team also reached the final of the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup, with Hakimi being one of its key pillars throughout the season.

Statistically, Hakimi played 63 matches in which he scored 13 goals and provided 15 assists, an unprecedented record for a defender, in addition to winning the “Marc-Vivien Foé” award as the best African player in the French league.

Global statistics indicate his superiority in several indicators, as he ranked fourth in shot accuracy in the Champions League, third in assists leading to shots, second among defenders in creating chances in the five major leagues, as well as being the player who covered the most distance during the season.

In the Champions League final, Hakimi opened the scoring in the 12th minute, paving the way for the first continental title in Paris Saint-Germain’s history, in a performance praised by the French newspaper “L'Équipe,” which considered his stats closer to those of forwards rather than a defender.