KUALA LUMPUR – Kylian Mbappe was named France’s Player of the Year at an awards ceremony in Paris yesterday, marking the end of his seven-season stint with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).
The 25-year-old won the prize for the best player in Ligue 1 at the UNFP (French players’ union) Trophies gala for the fifth consecutive time, following a season in which he scored 44 goals in all competitions for PSG, AFP reported.
Last week, the France captain confirmed that he will leave PSG at the end of the season when his contract expires, with Real Madrid expected to be his next destination.
“It is a page that is turning, a chapter of my life that is going to close.
“Ligue 1 will always have an important place in my life. It is the only league I have known in my career up to now.
“I have always tried to be an honourable representative of this league.
“I will miss it for sure. It is a part of my life that is coming to an end. What is coming next is very exciting, but that is something else,” he added.
Mbappe played his final home game for PSG on Sunday and scored, but the champions suffered a shock 3-1 defeat against Toulouse.
That goal took him to 27 for the season in Ligue 1, eight more than the next best marksman, Lille’s Canadian striker Jonathan David.
The season is not finished yet, with Mbappe’s PSG having two more Ligue 1 games to play this week before the French Cup final against Lyon on May 25.
Mbappe beat the other nominees for the award voted on by his fellow players, which was presented by Marie-José Pérec, the French former 200m and 400m Olympic champion.
His PSG teammate Ousmane Dembele had also been in contention along with Brest’s Pierre Lees-Melou, Marseille’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and Lille’s Edon Zhegrova.
PSG’s domestic dominance was reflected in the other awards, with teenage midfielder Warren Zaire-Emery named young player of the season and Gianluigi Donnarumma named best goalkeeper.
Brest’s Eric Roy was named coach of the year after leading the modest Brittany club to European qualification for the first time in their history. With one game left, they are guaranteed to finish at least fifth, meaning a Europa League place at worst. – May 14, 2024