The most likely answer is Achraf Hakimi , the Moroccan defender who was voted African Footballer of the Year in 2025. He is one of the most prominent African players currently being discussed in football award coverage.

Quick Scoop

“Ballo” may be a typo or a shorthand for a name you heard in a forum or post. In recent African football news, the standout “African player” people are most often referring to is Hakimi.

Why this fits

  • Hakimi won the CAF Men’s Player of the Year award in 2025.
  • He was described as the first Moroccan since 1998 and the first defender since 1973 to win Africa’s top football award.
  • Other African names in current Ballon d’Or discussion include Mohamed Salah and Serhou Guirassy, but they do not match “ballo” as closely.

If you meant another player

If “ballo” was meant as a surname, Oumar Ballo is an African athlete from Mali, but he is a basketball player, not the footballer usually meant in this context.

Bottom line

Most likely, you mean Achraf Hakimi.