African football has continued to make its mark on the world stage, and this year’s Best FIFA Awards just showed how far the influence of the continent has come. Egyptian Mohamed Salah, Moroccan Achraf Hakimi, Malawian Temwa Chaŵinga, and Nigerian Chiamaka Nnadozie were among a quartet from the continent listed among the elite nominees for the 2025 FIFA The Best Football Awards, a lineup that underlines both talent and transformation in African football.
Salah: The Pharaoh Still Reigning Supreme
Rarely are there any players in world football today who are as consistent and captivating as Mohamed Salah. The Liverpool forward finds himself once again among the finalists for The Best FIFA Men’s Player Award, and it’s easy to see why.
The 2024/25 campaign was a masterclass in precision, stamina, and leadership as Salah fired Liverpool to a record-extending 20th Premier League title, finishing the season with 29 goals and 18 assists, thereby equalling a Premier League record with 47 goal contributions. It wasn’t just about the statistics; it was much more emotional. Week in, week out, Salah reminded the whole world of what it means to lead by example.
While his rivals for this generation’s dominance-Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, and Vinícius Júnior-have star power and highlight reels on their side, Salah’s story still resonates more. From the streets of Nagrig to the bright lights of Anfield, his rise continues to be a beacon of hope for millions across Africa. He is not just playing for trophies but is representing a continent that has time and again proved it can produce the best in the world.
Hakimi: The North African Dynamo Fueling PSG’s Glory
The inclusion of Achraf Hakimi on the men’s list cements his status as one of the most complete modern full-backs in the game today. At Paris Saint-Germain, Hakimi has become a leader both on and off the pitch, blending pace, power, and precision with a tactical intelligence that few defenders can match.
Last season, Hakimi also played a significant role in PSG’s maiden UEFA Champions League triumph, a campaign that underlined his attacking instincts and defensive maturity. He also played beautifully in the FIFA Club World Cup as PSG swept through with flair, conceding just four times over the campaign. Hakimi’s performances, including two goals and two assists in the tournament, proved he’s not just a right-back; he is a right-sided weapon.
For Morocco, he has been just as important. The Atlas Lions have continued their momentum from the World Cup, with Hakimi as anchor and inspiration for a new generation of North African footballers who have the courage to dream bigger than the continent’s borders.
Chaŵinga: Malawi’s Historic Breakthrough
Temwa Chaŵinga has made history on the women’s side, and she hasn’t kept quiet. The Malawian forward became the very first player from her nation to be nominated for The Best FIFA Women’s Player Award, a momentous occasion not only for Malawi but also for African women’s football.
Chaŵinga’s rise has been simply phenomenal. One could further identify her goalscoring exploits in Wuhan Jiangda in China and no less with Wuhan Jiangda in China and her no-less-impressive performances for the Malawi national team, which impressive performances for the Malawi national team that have earned her global attention. In 2024, she dominated the USA National Women’s Soccer League, claiming the Golden Boot with a record-breaking 21 goals and being named League MVP. She even carried that form into the Summer Cup, scoring twice in the final and lifting yet another trophy.
What makes Chaŵinga special isn’t just her pace or finishing; it’s her fearlessness. She plays with a drive that mirrors the hunger of every under-represented football nation dreaming of its breakthrough moment. Her nomination signals that the walls separating “traditional powers” and “emerging nations” in women’s football are finally crumbling.
Nnadozie: The Guardian of Nigerian Pride
If you followed women’s football this year, you know Chiamaka Nnadozie has been a revelation: the 24-year-old Super Falcons goalkeeper has earned a well-deserved nomination for The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper Award after a standout season formally at Paris FC, but currently at Brighton.
Her heroics in front of the goal have been essential to her club’s impressive run in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, while for Nigeria, she has reaffirmed her reputation as one of the most fearless goalkeepers in the game. Up against England’s Mary Earps and Spain’s Catalina Coll, Nnadozie represents a new generation of African footballers who mix confidence with technical mastery.
A story of resilience, excellence, and purpose: from the grassroots pitches of Owerri to the biggest arenas of Europe, hers is one that has great resonance well beyond sport. It’s this kind of story that can inspire young girls in Nigeria but also dreamers across the world.
A Continental Shift: Africa’s New Football Narrative
What is striking about this year’s nominations is not the presence of African names but the diversity that comes from north to south, east to west; Africa’s representatives at the FIFA The Best Awards reflect a continental shift. No longer are African players consigned to single positions or predictable storylines. They are strikers, creators, defenders, and goalkeepers rewriting the narrative of global football.
Players like Salah, Hakimi, Chaŵinga, and Nnadozie are indeed successful, but it is not a case of luck; this is the result of years of perseverance and an evolving football ecosystem that is finally getting global attention. From clubs to academies and federations throughout the continent, technically talented and mentally robust athletes are emerging, capable of competing at the highest level.
Looking Ahead: Recognition and Responsibility
As FIFA prepares to announce the winners later this year, the spotlight again falls on these four African trailblazers. But beyond the trophies and ceremonies, their presence on this list carries a deeper message: Africa’s football story is no longer about potential; it’s about arrival. Their journeys are proof that when talent meets opportunity, borders fade, and greatness speaks in a universal language. From Salah lifting another global crown to Nnadozie breaking new ground for goalkeepers, the collective impact is already historic.
Final Whistle
A Call to Celebrate and Support African Excellence. It is about time that fans, journalists, and other stakeholders rose to their obligations and accorded these players of the recognition they so rightly deserve. Not just by votes, but by the continued support of African football development. Their success epitomizes what the continent can achieve when talent is nurtured and celebrated. So, with the world counting down to the FIFA The Best 2025 Awards, one thing is definite: Africa isn’t just part of the conversation anymore; it is.
What do you think, could this be the year an African player claims the world’s top honor?
Join the conversation, share your thoughts, and celebrate Africa’s brightest football stars who continue to prove that the beautiful game truly belongs to everyone.
