PSG Dominance on Full Display as Trophées UNFP Honors Luis Enrique and Star-Studded Squad

The landscape of French football has been formally codified for the season, and the results are a resounding testament to the hegemony of Paris Saint-Germain. At the annual Trophées UNFP ceremony held this Monday, the league’s elite players cast their votes, resulting in a sweep that underscores PSG’s tactical and individual superiority in Ligue 1 McDonald’s.

The headlines from the gala are clear: Paris Saint-Germain has not only secured a massive presence in the Ligue 1 Team of the Season but has also claimed the most prestigious individual honors for both leadership and emerging talent. With five players named to the best XI, a Best Coach award for Luis Enrique, and the Best Young Player trophy going to Désiré Doué, the capital club has effectively cleaned up at the season’s most respected awards ceremony.

A Tactical Fortress: The Ligue 1 Team of the Season

The UNFP Team of the Season is uniquely prestigious because it is voted on by the players themselves—the men who face these opponents weekly and understand the nuances of the battle on the pitch. For PSG, seeing five representatives in the final lineup is a validation of a system that balanced defensive solidity with explosive attacking transitions.

The Parisian contingent in the Team of the Season reflects a spine of consistency and world-class quality. The defensive flanks were dominated by Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes, two of the most dynamic full-backs in global football, whose ability to act as auxiliary wingers has redefined PSG’s width. In the heart of the defense, Willian Pacho earned his spot, signaling his successful integration into the high-pressure environment of the Parc des Princes.

In the midfield, Vitinha was recognized as a cornerstone of the league. His ability to dictate the tempo and resist pressure in tight spaces has made him indispensable to the PSG engine room. Completing the Parisian quintet is Ousmane Dembélé, whose unpredictability and 1v1 dominance continue to make him a nightmare for Ligue 1 defenders.

While the PSG influence was the primary narrative, the broader Team of the Season also featured standout performers from across the league, including Mason Greenwood and Dimitri Payet’s successor figures, reflecting a season where individual brilliance often sparked the efforts of mid-table sides fighting for European spots.

Note for readers: The UNFP (Union Nationale des Footballeurs Professionnels) awards are the French equivalent of the PFA Awards in England, meaning these selections carry significant weight in the eyes of the professional community.

The Architect: Luis Enrique’s Managerial Masterclass

Beyond the player accolades, the crowning achievement of the night was the recognition of Luis Enrique as the UNFP Best Coach of the season. Taking over a squad with immense talent but varying levels of cohesion, Enrique has implemented a rigid yet fluid philosophy based on possession, high pressing, and positional discipline.

Enrique’s victory is not merely a byproduct of PSG’s financial advantages but a reflection of his ability to evolve the team’s identity. Under his guidance, PSG moved away from a reliance on individual moments of magic toward a more collective, system-driven approach. This shift was evident in how the team handled the pressures of the 2024-25 campaign, ultimately securing their 13th league title.

His approach has focused heavily on the development of younger players and the tactical repurposing of veterans, ensuring that the squad remains adaptable against both domestic opponents and in the grueling environment of the UEFA Champions League.

The New Guard: Désiré Doué’s Ascent

Perhaps the most exciting development of the evening was the naming of Désiré Doué as the UNFP Best Young Player of the season. In a league known for being one of the world’s premier talent factories, Doué has distinguished himself as the next great prospect of French football.

Doué’s recognition comes after a season of rapid growth, where he demonstrated a maturity beyond his years in decision-making and technical execution. His ability to operate across multiple positions in the attacking third provides PSG with a versatility that is rare for a player of his age. Winning this award places Doué in a lineage of young stars who used Ligue 1 as a springboard to global superstardom.

Contextualizing the Dominance: Ligue 1 McDonald’s in 2026

To understand the weight of these awards, one must look at the current state of Ligue 1 McDonald’s. The league, currently consisting of 18 clubs, has seen a shift in competitive dynamics. While PSG continues to set the gold standard, the gap is often bridged by tactical ingenuity from challengers and the emergence of high-value young talent.

The 2024-25 season saw PSG secure their 13th championship, a record that further cements their place as the most successful club in French history. However, the UNFP awards suggest that the league is becoming more reliant on a few “super-clubs” for its star power, while simultaneously serving as the primary scouting ground for the rest of Europe.

The structure of the league—with its promotion and relegation system tied to Ligue 2—ensures a constant churn of talent, but the concentration of TOTS selections in Paris suggests that the “quality gap” remains a significant talking point for pundits and fans alike.

Key Takeaways from the Trophées UNFP

• PSG Hegemony: Five players in the Team of the Season and the Best Coach award confirm PSG as the undisputed force in France.
• Tactical Validation: Luis Enrique’s “Best Coach” win validates his system-first approach over a star-first approach.
• Youth Pipeline: Désiré Doué’s Best Young Player award highlights the continued strength of the French talent pipeline.
• Player Consensus: Because these awards are voted on by peers, the results reflect a deep professional respect for the PSG core.

What This Means Moving Forward

For Paris Saint-Germain, these awards provide a psychological boost heading into the next cycle of competition. The recognition of five different players across the pitch suggests a balanced squad rather than a team relying on a single talisman. For Luis Enrique, the award provides the mandate to continue his tactical overhaul without interference.

For the rest of Ligue 1, the Trophées UNFP serve as a roadmap of the obstacles they must overcome. To break the Parisian stranglehold, challengers will need to find a way to neutralize the specific players honored this week—particularly the wing-backs Hakimi and Mendes and the midfield control of Vitinha.

The next major checkpoint for the league will be the start of the 2026-27 campaign in August, where the newly crowned “best in the league” will once again be tested by a hungry field of 17 other clubs vying for the title.

Do you think PSG’s dominance is making Ligue 1 less competitive, or is the rise of talents like Désiré Doué proof that the league is still the best place for development? Let us know in the comments below.