French Football Elite: Full List of All Winners at the 2025/26 Ligue 1 Awards

Full List of All Winners at the 2025/26 Ligue 1 Awards

The pinnacle of French club football was reached on the evening of Monday, May 11, 2026, as the National Union of Professional Footballers (UNFP) hosted its prestigious annual awards ceremony in Paris. The 2025/26 Ligue 1 Awards served as a glittering celebration of individual brilliance, tactical mastery, and the rising stars who have defined this thrilling campaign.

With the departure of long-standing icons in recent seasons, the 2026 edition of the UNFP Trophies signaled a new era for the league. Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) once again asserted their dominance in the individual categories, but the emergence of RC Lens as a legitimate sporting threat was reflected in the night's biggest surprises. From Ousmane Dembélé’s historic "double" to the tactical acclaim of Pierre Sage, here is the comprehensive breakdown of every winner from the night.

Ousmane Dembélé: The Reigning King of Ligue 1

For the second consecutive year, Ousmane Dembélé has been crowned the Ligue 1 Player of the Year. The 28-year-old forward has undergone a remarkable transformation since arriving at the Parc des Princes, evolving from a mercurial talent into the league's most consistent and devastating playmaker.

Following the five-year reign of Kylian Mbappé, Dembélé has successfully filled the void, leading PSG’s attack with a blend of elite dribbling and much-improved decision-making in the final third. Despite a strong challenge from teammate Vitinha and Marseille’s Mason Greenwood, Dembélé’s influence on PSG’s title charge made him the undeniable choice for the jury. In his acceptance speech, the French international remained humble, stating, "It’s an individual trophy, but all the individual trophies I’ve won are thanks to this team."

Tactical Genius: Pierre Sage Honored as Best Coach

In perhaps the most popular win of the night, Pierre Sage picked up the honors for Best Coach. In a league featuring high-profile names like Luis Enrique, Sage’s achievement at RC Lens stands out as the story of the season.

By establishing Lens as the primary direct challenger to PSG, Sage has implemented a high-intensity, attractive style of play that has revitalized the club. His ability to compete at the top of the table with significantly fewer resources than the Parisian giants earned him the respect of his peers, marking the first time in years that a non-PSG manager has felt like the heavy favorite for this category.

The Future is Bright: Best Young Player and Goalkeeper

The award for Best Young Player (Hope of the Year) remained in the capital, with Désiré Doué taking home the trophy. The 20-year-old sensation, who joined PSG in a high-profile move, has justified his price tag by becoming a regular fixture in a star-studded midfield. His victory over fellow nominees like Warren Zaïre-Emery and Strasbourg’s Valentin Barco cements his status as one of Europe's premier "wonderkids."

Defensive excellence was also recognized, with RC Lens securing another major win through Robin Risser, who was named Best Goalkeeper. Risser’s shot-stopping and distribution were pivotal to Lens’ second-place standing, and his win over veteran keepers like Brice Samba and Anthony Lopes signals a changing of the guard in the French goal-keeping ranks.

Excellence Abroad: Michael Olise Named Best French Player Overseas

The UNFP awards also look beyond the borders of France to recognize the "Legionnaires" representing the country in other major European leagues. For 2026, the award for Best French Player Abroad went to Michael Olise.

Since his move to Bayern Munich, Olise has become one of the most effective attackers in the Bundesliga. His inclusion in this category—beating out the likes of William Saliba (Arsenal) and Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid)—highlights the massive impact he has had in Germany this season. His technical flair and goal-scoring output have made him a vital asset for both his club and the national team.

The Full 2025/2026 UNFP Awards Winners List

For those looking for the quick-reference guide to the night's results, here is the complete list of winners across all major categories:

Year	Project/Single Title	Artist(s)	Type
2026	Testimony Of Grace	Ice Prince	Album
2026	Hood Boy Dreams 2	JeriQ	EP
2026	Work of Art (Deluxe)	Asake	Album
2026	Global Stage	Victor Osimhen x various	Single

Note: Melchie Dumornay’s victory in the women’s category (D1 Arkema) continues Lyon’s long-standing tradition of excellence, as she beat out tough competition from teammates and Paris FC rivals.

Final Thoughts: A Season of Transition

The 2026 Ligue 1 Awards reflected a league that is successfully rebranding itself. While PSG remains the commercial and trophy-gathering powerhouse, the tactical diversity shown by clubs like Lens and the continued production of world-class young talent like Doué suggest that French football is in a healthy, competitive state. As the season draws to a close, these winners represent the very best of what "The League of Talents" has to offer.

Focus Keywords: Ligue 1 awards 2026 winners, UNFP Trophies 2026 results, Ousmane Dembele player of the year 2026, Pierre Sage best coach Lens, Desire Doue best young player, Michael Olise best French player abroad.