African football once again took centre stage at the 69th Ballon d’Or ceremony held at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, with Mohamed Salah and Achraf Hakimi securing spots in the prestigious top ten.
Hakimi placed sixth while Salah emerged as the fourth best player.
Salah underlined his world-class reputation with another standout campaign for Liverpool.
The Egyptian talisman fired the Reds to their historic 20th Premier League crown, finishing as the league’s top scorer with 29 goals and reaffirming his status among Europe’s elite forwards.
For Hakimi, the 2024/25 season was one to remember.
The Moroccan right-back was instrumental in Paris Saint-Germain’s treble-winning run, claiming Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, and the UEFA Champions League in a season of dominance.
At just 26, he continues to shine as one of Africa’s brightest footballing exports.
Hakimi also carries the pride of Morocco’s remarkable 2022 World Cup journey, where the Atlas Lions became the first African team to reach the semi-finals.
That historic achievement, coupled with his club success, strengthened his case for a Ballon d’Or top-ten finish.
Salah and Hakimi’s recognition keeps Africa’s hopes alive on football’s biggest individual stage, even as George Weah remains the continent’s only winner, lifting the award back in 1995. George Weah: Africa’s Only Ballon d’Or Winner and the Journey That Made History
