Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembélé has been named the best player in French Ligue 1 for the second consecutive season, beating out PSG teammates Nuno Mendes and Vitinha, as well as Florian Thauvin (Lens) and Mason Greenwood (Marseille). The award, handed out by the French Professional Footballers’ Union, makes Dembélé only the fifth player to win the honor more than once.
Despite an injury-hit campaign that limited him to nine starts and 960 minutes in Ligue 1, the current Ballon d’Or winner tallied 10 goals and six assists, helping PSG secure a near-certain fifth straight league title. “This is an individual award, but every trophy I’ve won individually is thanks to this entire team,” said the 28-year-old France international. A goal he scored against Lille in January was also voted by fans as the goal of the season.
In the same ceremony, Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise was named the best French player abroad, after recording 15 goals and 21 assists in Germany and helping the Bavarians win the league title. The 24-year-old right winger succeeds Kylian Mbappé of Real Madrid.
Lens head coach Pierre Sage won the best coach award, while Lens goalkeeper Robin Risser and PSG teenager Désiré Doué were also recognized at the gala held Monday in Paris.