Overview
- He edged Mohamed Salah and Victor Osimhen to claim Africa’s top individual honor.
- He is the first Moroccan winner since 1998 and the first defender to take the award since 1973.
- His season with PSG featured a Champions League triumph, domestic titles and the UEFA Super Cup, including a goal in the 5-0 final win over Inter Milan.
- He accepted the trophy wearing a protective boot after a severe ankle sprain, leaving his availability for the December 21 AFCON opener uncertain.
- Morocco collected multiple prizes on the night, with Ghizlane Chebbak named Women’s Player, Yassine Bounou best men’s goalkeeper, the U-20s men’s national team of the year, Cape Verde’s Bubista men’s coach of the year, and Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie women’s goalkeeper of the year.