Paris Saint-Germain’s electrifying forward Ousmane Dembélé has been named the Ligue 1 Player of the Year for the 2024/25 season, a testament to his pivotal role in guiding the club to their 13th French title and a UEFA Champions League final berth. The announcement came during the 33rd annual UNFP awards ceremony held in Paris on May 11, 2025, where Dembélé was honored for his remarkable contributions on the pitch.
The 27-year-old French international has enjoyed a career-defining season, emerging as PSG’s talisman under the guidance of manager Luis Enrique. Dembélé’s tactical shift to a central role in a three-man attack proved to be a masterstroke, unlocking his full potential. He finished the Ligue 1 campaign as the league’s top scorer with 21 goals in 28 matches and added eight assists, showcasing his lethal combination of pace, precision, and flair. Across all competitions, Dembélé has notched an impressive 33 goals and 13 assists in 46 appearances, including eight goals in the Champions League, where PSG is set to face Inter Milan in the final on May 31.
Dembélé’s journey to this accolade has been one of redemption. Once criticized for inconsistent performances and injury setbacks during his time at Barcelona, the former Rennes prodigy has silenced doubters with a string of dazzling displays. His standout moment came in the Champions League semifinal first leg against Arsenal, where he scored the decisive goal in a 1-0 victory at the Emirates Stadium. Despite a brief injury scare with a hamstring strain, Dembélé recovered swiftly to remain a constant threat, earning praise from teammates and opponents alike.
At the UNFP gala, Dembélé expressed his gratitude, crediting his teammates and coaching staff for his success. “This award means a lot to me, but it’s a team effort,” he said. “We’re hungry to bring more trophies to Paris, especially the Champions League.” His comments underscored PSG’s ambition as they chase a historic treble, having already secured the Ligue 1 title and reached the French Cup final against Reims.
The awards ceremony also saw PSG dominate other categories, with Luis Enrique named Coach of the Year for his tactical ingenuity and young star Désiré Doué claiming the Best Young Player award. Dembélé’s triumph marks the end of Kylian Mbappé’s five-year reign as Ligue 1’s best player, with the Real Madrid-bound star instead honored as the best French player abroad.
Dembélé’s stellar form has also propelled him into the conversation for the 2025 Ballon d’Or, with bookmakers listing him as a favorite following PSG’s Champions League run. His emergence as a leader for both club and country—boasting 53 caps and six goals for France—has cemented his status as one of football’s elite talents.