Why Achraf Hakimi Was Excluded From the 2026 Prix Marc-Vivien Foé Nominations

In the world of French football, the Prix Marc-Vivien Foé is more than just a trophy for the best African player in Ligue 1. it is a recognition of character, leadership, and professionalism. For Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi, however, the prestige of the award has hit a legal wall. Despite a dominant presence on the pitch, the Moroccan international will not have the chance to defend his title, as he has been omitted from the 11-man shortlist for the 2026 award.

The exclusion of the PSG vice-captain has sent ripples through the sport, particularly given his status as the reigning champion. While his athletic contributions to the Parisian side remain undeniable, the organizers of the prize—France 24 and RFI—have a strict set of criteria that extend far beyond goals, and assists. For Hakimi, a pending legal battle has made him ineligible for the honor this year.

The ‘Exemplary Behavior’ Clause

To understand why Hakimi is missing from the nominations, one must look at the specific requirements of the Prix Marc-Vivien Foé. The award does not solely reward the most talented African player in the league; it requires the recipient to maintain “exemplary behavior both on and off the field.”

According to reports, Hakimi failed to meet this specific non-sporting criterion. This decision comes despite a season where he continued to perform at a high level, even while dealing with a ankle sprain that sidelined him for two and a half months between November and January. His ability to lead, often serving as captain when Marquinhos is unavailable, suggests his standing within the squad remains strong, but the award’s committee views the situation differently.

Legal Proceedings and the Trial

The primary driver behind Hakimi’s exclusion is his ongoing legal situation in France. In February, the PSG defender was sent to trial for rape following an incident involving a woman who was 24 years old at the time in February 2023.

The case began when the complainant visited a police station in Val-de-Marne in late February 2023 to report the incident. While she did not initially file a formal complaint, a preliminary investigation was launched, leading to Hakimi being placed under investigation. The process has now culminated in a referral to the departmental criminal court of Hauts-de-Seine. As of now, the specific date for the trial has not been announced.

For the organizers of the Marc-Vivien Foé prize, the existence of these criminal proceedings is incompatible with the “exemplary” standard required for the award. It serves as a stark reminder that for certain honors in European football, a player’s reputation outside the stadium is as critical as their performance within it.

A Look Back: The 2025 Peak

The 2026 exclusion stands in sharp contrast to Hakimi’s triumph just one year prior. In 2025, Hakimi claimed the Prix Marc-Vivien Foé in a landslide victory, finishing with 364 points—nearly 200 more than runner-up Evann Guessand of OGC Nice.

His 2025 campaign was statistically impressive, recording four goals and eight assists across 24 Ligue 1 McDonald’s matches. This individual success mirrored PSG’s collective dominance. Under the guidance of boss Luis Enrique, who promoted Hakimi to vice-captain following the departure of Kylian Mbappé, the club achieved significant milestones:

• Ligue 1 Title: Secured in April 2025.
• French Super Cup: Won in January 2025 after defeating Monaco.
• Champions League Progress: Reached the final on May 31, 2025, against Inter Milan, following a 3-1 aggregate victory over Arsenal.

By winning the award in 2025, Hakimi became the first PSG player ever to receive the honor. He also joined an elite group of Moroccan players to win the prize, following in the footsteps of Marouane Chamakh (2009), Younès Belhanda (2012), and Sofiane Boufal (2016).

The 2026 Race: Who Remains?

With the defending champion out of the running, the path is open for a new winner. The list of 11 nominees revealed on a Thursday evening includes several high-profile names who will be vying for the title on May 11.

Among the favorites are Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Olympique de Marseille—who previously beat Hakimi for the award in 2024—Lamine Camara of Monaco, and Ilan Kebbal of Paris FC. The competition now shifts toward these athletes, who must balance their on-field excellence with the off-field conduct demanded by the prize’s legacy.

For the global football community, the situation surrounding Hakimi highlights the growing tension between sporting achievement and legal accountability. While Luis Enrique has praised Hakimi for being “more focused and more effective” defensively, the Marc-Vivien Foé committee has signaled that athletic improvement cannot offset serious legal allegations.

The next major checkpoint for the award will be the official ceremony on May 11, where the best African player in Ligue 1 for the 2025-26 season will be crowned.

Do you believe off-field conduct should influence individual sporting awards, or should performance be the only metric? Let us know in the comments.