Algeria's Belaïli: 'Hakimi Deserves the African Player of the Year Award, He Did Everything This Year'

Algerian international Youcef Belaïli affirmed that Moroccan star Achraf Hakimi deserved to win the African Player of the Year award, which he was crowned with last week, due to his outstanding performances throughout the previous season.

The Espérance Sportive de Tunis player stated in an interview with "LA SURFACE" on YouTube: "Who deserves the African Player of the Year award? It's Hakimi. He did everything this year and won all the titles. He truly deserves it."

Regarding the best goal he has ever scored, Belaïli said: "I would choose my goal against Morocco in the Arab Cup. When goalkeeper M'Bolhi cleared the ball, I had already seen their goalkeeper (El-Zeniti) advanced far from his goal. As soon as I chested the ball down, I shot directly."

It is worth noting that Hakimi was crowned with the African Player of the Year award after an "exceptional" season with Paris Saint-Germain, where he won the French League, the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup, and the Coupe de France. He also reached the FIFA Club World Cup final, which PSG lost 3-0 to English club Chelsea.