Dembele Steals the Spotlight again at the 2026 UNFP Trophées

The 35th edition of the UNFP Trophées brought French football's finest together at the prestigious Palais Brongniart in Paris on Monday evening, with RC Lens and Paris Saint-Germain emerging as the night's biggest winners. Dembélé Wins Back-to-Back Player of the Year The headline award of the night went to Ousmane Dembélé, who claimed the Ligue 1 Player of the Year honour for the second consecutive season. Voted for by his fellow professionals, Dembélé retained the top prize for the second year running, cementing his status as the league's most influential player. He also took home the Goal of the Year award for Ligue 1, a fitting double for a player who has been the creative heartbeat of PSG's dominant campaign. PSG's young star Désiré Doué was named Best Young Player (Espoir) of Ligue 1, underlining the club's remarkable production line of elite talent. A Huge Night for RC Lens PSG dominated the individual honours, but RC Lens had plenty to celebrate too. Robin Risser was awarded the Best Goalkeeper prize in Ligue 1, with the trophy presented by former goalkeeper Guillaume Warmuz. The Lens shot-stopper saw off stiff competition from the likes of Rennes' Samba and Strasbourg's Penders. The biggest cheer of the night for the Lensois fans may have come when Pierre Sage was named Best Coach in Ligue 1. Sage reacted with genuine emotion to the award, calling it

a surprise, but full of happiness and pride,

dedicating the recognition to everyone at the club, his players, and fellow coaches — also taking a moment to honour recently departed figures Jean-Louis Gasset and Rolland Courbis. RC Lens also had four players named in the Ligue 1 Team of the Season: Risser, Sarr, Sangaré, and Thauvin, reflecting a tremendous collective season for the northern club. Olise Honoured as Best French Player Abroad Michael Olise of Bayern Munich was named Best French Player Abroad, receiving his trophy from the hands of former France international Florent Malouda. The winger has been one of the most impressive Frenchmen plying his trade outside of Ligue 1 this season. Ligue 2 Honours Go to Davitashvili and Dumont In Ligue 2, Georgian winger Zuriko Davitashvili of Saint-Étienne was voted Best Player, while goalkeeper Quentin Braat of Rodez claimed the Best Goalkeeper award and Stéphane Dumont of Troyes was named Best Coach. The Goal of the Year in Ligue 2 went to Dame Gueye of Le Mans, who scored a spectacular first-time lob from over 35 metres against Grenoble in September 2025 — a moment that helped propel Le Mans to a historic promotion to Ligue 1. Women's Football Celebrates Its Stars The women's game received its due recognition on the night. Melchie Dumornay of Lyon was named Best Player in the Arkema Première Ligue, with Mylène Chavas of Paris FC taking the Best Goalkeeper award and Justine Rouquet of Montpellier honoured as the Best Young Player. Hosted at the heart of the Palais Brongniart in the 2nd arrondissement of Paris, the 35th UNFP Trophées ceremony brought together the major figures of Ligue 1, Ligue 2, and the Arkema Première Ligue. With Lens stealing the show in coaching and goalkeeping, and Dembélé confirming his place among Europe's elite, the 2025-26 French football season will be remembered as one of fierce competition and brilliant individual performances.