Hakimi Omitted from Marc-Vivien Foé Award Shortlist Amid Off-Field Issues
Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi has been excluded from the shortlist for the 2026 Marc-Vivien Foé Award, which honors the best African player in Ligue 1. The 11 finalists for the award, which was won by Hakimi in 2025, were announced by broadcasters France 24 and RFI, and the Moroccan right-back was a notable omission from the list.
According to the reports, Hakimi was omitted by the award's organization, which considers a player's conduct off the field in its selection process. The 25-year-old is currently facing a trial over a legal case, which the organization cited as the reason for his exclusion. The award's criteria reportedly include a player's behaviour and image away from football, not just his on-pitch performances. Hakimi had made 15 Ligue 1 appearances for PSG this season, just short of the 50% of matches required for eligibility.
The shortlist for the award, which has been won in the past by players like Gervinho, Nicolas Pépé, and Seko Fofana, includes several notable names. The finalists are Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Marseille), Lamine Camara (Monaco), Bamba Dieng (Lorient), Guéla Doué (Strasbourg), Martial Godo (Strasbourg), Ilan Kebbal (Paris FC), Hervé Koffi (Angers), Arsène Kouassi (Lorient), Aïssa Mandi (Lille), Moussa Niakhaté (Lyon), and Mamadou Sangaré (Lens). The winner is scheduled to be announced on May 11th.
Hakimi's omission is a significant development, given his status as the 2025 winner and his key role for both PSG and the Moroccan national team. His absence from the list underscores the award's stated focus on a player's overall conduct. The award, named in honor of the late Cameroonian and former West Ham and Manchester City midfielder Marc-Vivien Foé, has been awarded since 2009. The winner is selected by a jury of journalists and former players.
For Hakimi, the exclusion marks a significant professional and personal setback, removing him from contention for a major individual honor in French and African football. His PSG teammate, Kylian Mbappé, was recently named the Ligue 1 Player of the Year, but that award is voted on by a different panel with different criteria. The decision highlights the award's unique dual focus on sporting and personal conduct, setting it apart from other individual accolades in the sport. The winner of the 2026 Marc-Vivien Foé Award will be announced in May.
