Ousmane Dembélé has been named Ligue 1 Player of the Season at the 2025 UNFP Trophies, capping off a transformative year that has seen him emerge as Paris Saint-Germain’s most influential player and a serious contender for the Ballon d’Or.
A Season to Remember
In 2024–25, Dembélé delivered a career-defining performance, scoring 21 goals and providing 8 assists in just 28 league appearances. His contributions were pivotal in PSG securing another Ligue 1 title and advancing to the Champions League final. Notably, he netted a hat-trick in a 4–1 Champions League victory over VfB Stuttgart, marking his second career hat-trick and first in European competitions. He also scored the decisive goal in the Trophées des Champions and played a crucial role in the French Cup, further solidifying his status as PSG’s standout performer.
Ballon d’Or Contention
Dembélé’s stellar season has positioned him as a frontrunner for the 2025 Ballon d’Or. A recent poll by L’Équipe revealed that 40.9% of respondents believe he will win the prestigious award, leading Barcelona’s Raphinha (25%) and Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé (8%). His impressive performances in both domestic and European competitions have made him a strong candidate, especially if PSG clinches the Champions League title.
UNFP Awards Highlights
The UNFP Trophies also recognized other standout performances across French football:
- Best Ligue 1 Coach: Luis Enrique, for leading PSG to the league title and a Champions League final appearance.
- Best Ligue 1 Goalkeeper: Lucas Chevalier, for his consistent and commanding performances between the posts.
- Best Ligue 1 Young Player: Désiré Doué, whose dynamic displays for PSG have earned him widespread acclaim.
Dembélé’s recognition as Player of the Season underscores his pivotal role in PSG’s dominance this year. As the season concludes, all eyes will be on the Champions League final, where Dembélé has the opportunity to further cement his legacy and bolster his Ballon d’Or aspirations.
