Morocco and Paris Saint-Germain star Achraf Hakimi has made history by becoming the first African defender to finish inside the top 15 of the Ballon d’Or rankings on two occasions.

Hakimi secured sixth place in the 2025 edition before finishing 13th in 2026, underlining his consistency among the world’s leading footballers.

The Moroccan right-back enjoyed another successful campaign with Paris Saint-Germain, helping the French giants secure major honours, including the Ligue 1 title and UEFA Champions League. His performances at club level, combined with his importance to Morocco’s national team, have strengthened his reputation as one of the leading defenders in world football.

Despite dropping seven places from his 2025 ranking, Hakimi’s latest achievement marks another milestone for African football, highlighting the growing recognition of defenders on the global stage.