Achraf Hakimi, Paris Saint-Germain’s right-back and captain, scored a hat-trick and provided two assists in the 5-1 win at Le Havre. According to ESPN, the performance makes him the favourite for African Player of the Year.
The 27-year-old Moroccan scored the first hat-trick of his professional career in the Parisians’ 5-1 victory at Le Havre on matchday 9 of Ligue 1, reports Winwin. Captain in the absence of Marquinhos, he was involved in all five of his team’s goals, according to Orange Sports/Media365 and Winwin.
His display came almost nine years to the day after Layvin Kurzawa’s hat-trick against Anderlecht in 2017, according to Media365. It comes just weeks before the CAF Awards ceremony.
A defender among the strikers
With five goal contributions in a single Ligue 1 match, Hakimi joins a list of six other players: Neymar, Ibrahimovic, Depay, Cavani and Carlos Eduardo, according to Winwin. What stands out on the list: he is the only defender on it.
Luis Enrique, the PSG coach, made no secret of his admiration: “When we have the ball, Hakimi clearly turns into a forward, but when we lose the ball, everyone defends. He is the best right-back in the world,” he said, quoted by Winwin.
A career and numbers that carry weight
Having joined PSG in summer 2021 from Inter Milan for €68 million, Hakimi now has 220 appearances, 31 goals and 47 assists for the club, with an estimated value of €80 million, according to Winwin.
The performance makes him the favourite for African Player of the Year, according to ESPN as relayed by Winwin. The player has already won the award in 2025.
On the collective front, PSG lead Ligue 1 with 20 points and are chasing a sixth consecutive title, Winwin notes.
Champions League, then Lagos
PSG’s next match is in the Champions League, against Villarreal.
The African Player of the Year award will be handed out at the CAF Awards ceremony on 7 December 2026 in Lagos.