Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembele has officially been named Ligue 1 Player of the Year, capping off a phenomenal season where the French star helped lead his team to their 13th French league title and a Champions League final.
Dembele’s recognition comes at a moment when PSG are not just national champions, but also strong contenders for a historic treble. The 26-year-old winger has lit up Ligue 1 with flair, creativity, and a ruthless eye for goal—finishing the league campaign as top scorer with 21 goals. Across all competitions, he has found the net 33 times in 46 appearances, including eight crucial goals in Europe that helped the Parisians secure their place in the Champions League final.
The award marks the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter for PSG. Dembele succeeds former teammate Kylian Mbappe, who claimed the honour for five consecutive years before making a high-profile switch to Real Madrid last summer.
At the UNFP Trophies Gala, the annual ceremony hosted by the French footballers’ union, it was a night of PSG dominance. Head coach Luis Enrique was awarded Coach of the Year after guiding the club to an 11th Ligue 1 title in 13 seasons. Under his guidance, PSG have transformed into a more cohesive and balanced unit, blending attacking brilliance with tactical discipline.
Midfielder Desire Doue, another standout performer this season, was named Ligue 1’s Best Young Player. The 19-year-old has been a revelation, impressing with his technical ability, vision, and composure far beyond his years. His emergence has been a key reason for PSG’s consistency in both domestic and European competitions.
While PSG nearly swept the awards, there was one exception. Lille goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier claimed the Best Goalkeeper trophy, edging out PSG’s Gianluigi Donnarumma. Chevalier’s heroic performances for Lille have earned widespread praise and denied the Parisian club a clean sweep at the gala.
Despite that lone miss, PSG’s dominance this season has been hard to ignore. They stormed through Ligue 1, rarely showing signs of slowing down, and currently stand on the cusp of achieving an extraordinary treble. With the French Cup final against Reims scheduled for next week and a Champions League final against Inter Milan looming on May 31st, Dembele and his teammates are chasing history.
Dembele’s journey this season has been particularly remarkable. After years of battling injuries and inconsistency at Barcelona, his return to Ligue 1 has been nothing short of explosive. Reunited with the French footballing culture and boosted by Luis Enrique’s faith in him, he has become a symbol of PSG’s new era—less about individual stardom, more about team balance and work ethic.
His performances against Europe’s elite have turned heads. From key goals in knockout rounds to tireless tracking back and pressing, Dembele has shown the kind of maturity and leadership expected of a top-tier forward. His explosive pace, tight control, and lethal finishing have returned with full force, and his name is now etched among the best in France.
Luis Enrique, too, has silenced critics with his handling of the team. After inheriting a squad that had grown too reliant on Mbappe’s heroics, he reshaped the tactical setup, giving roles of responsibility to players like Dembele, Doue, and Fabian Ruiz. The result has been a more unpredictable, fluid PSG side capable of outplaying and outscoring any team in Europe.
✨ Paris Saint-Germain shines at the 2025 UNFP Trophies with 14 awards! ✨
Best @Ligue1_ENG player:
– Ousmane DembéléBest @Ligue1_ENG young player:
– Desire DouéBest Coach of the Year
– Luis Enrique@Ligue1_Eng team of the year:
– Achraf Hakimi
– Marquinhos
– Nuno Mendes
-… pic.twitter.com/mdecAeYKAN— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) May 12, 2025
Doue’s award for the Best Young Player also highlights PSG’s renewed focus on integrating youth. The midfielder has not only become a starter in a star-studded side but has also delivered crucial goals and assists throughout the campaign. At just 19, he’s already viewed as a cornerstone of PSG’s future.
Meanwhile, Chevalier’s triumph in the goalkeeper category is a nod to the impressive defensive displays Lille have put up this season. Despite falling short in the title race, the young shot-stopper has made a name for himself with world-class saves and composure under pressure, potentially earning a spot in France’s national setup ahead of Euro 2026.
As the season nears its climax, PSG’s focus now shifts to their two remaining finals. A domestic double would already solidify their domestic supremacy, but adding a Champions League title would elevate this squad into legendary territory—especially with Dembele leading the charge.
While the awards night celebrated individual brilliance, it also underscored the collective growth of a PSG side that has finally found balance. With Dembele at the heart of it, this campaign could be remembered as the one that truly turned Paris into kings of Europe.
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