From Parisian boulevards to the Riviera’s blazing pitches, few things in French football bring as much anticipation as the Ligue 1 end-of-season awards ceremony. It’s where legends are crowned, rivalries simmer, and the individual glory of a campaign finds its ultimate validation. But over time, a handful of players have dominated Ligue 1 awards — not just capturing them, but owning them year after year. In this article, IndiGoal takes you through the stars who have left their mark on these honors, and what that dominance tells us about their legacy.
What Are the Ligue 1 Awards?
To understand dominance, we must understand what’s at stake. In France, the most prestigious individual honors are part of the Trophées UNFP, appointed by the Union Nationale des Footballeurs Professionnels. The key awards include:
- Ligue 1 Player of the Year: Awarded to the standout performer of the season in the top flight.
- Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year: Given to the best player aged 23 or younger at season start.
- Other categories: Team of the Year, Goalkee.
The Ligue 1 Player of the Year award has been presented since the 1993-94 season. The list of winners is broad — but only a few have risen to dominate it.
In the Young Player category, most winners are one-time, but one name stands out for repeating success. edia])
To be a dominating figure in these awards means not just winning once, but repeatedly outshining peers over multiple seasons.
The King: Kylian Mbappé’s Award Supremacy
It’s impossible to discuss players who dominated Ligue 1 awards without putting Kylian Mbappé front and center.
Reign of Five: Player of the Year
Mbappé holds the all-time record for Ligue 1 Player of the Year awards — five in total — and astonishingly won them consecutively.
His streak broke expectations. Before him, the record was three (held by Zlatan Ibrahimović), but Mbappé’s consistency, flair, and statistical output redefined the award.
Even as he moved on.
Young Player Title: Mbappé’s Early Dominance
Before dominating the senior stage, Mbappé made waves in the youth ranks. He is also the record holder for Young Player of the Year, having won it three times.
His trajectory was clear:.
Why Mbappé Dominated
What made Mbappé the standard-bearer?
- Consistency: Season after season, league-topping goals and assists
- Impact in big games: Delivering when matches mattered
- Peer respect: Votes from fellow professionals confirmed his standing
- Longevityrming at elite level year in, year out
In sum, Mbappé’s domination wasn’t accidental — it was built on excellence, reputation, and professionalism.
Other Standouts and Repeat Winners
While Mbappé is the crown jewel, other players have made meaningful runs in Ligue 1 honors. Let’s look at a few.
Zlatan Ibrahimović
Ibrahimović won Ligue 1 Player of the Year three times during his PSG tenure.
Though not to Mbappé’s scale, winning three times in a top-flight league is notable, especially given the competitive nature of the French game.
Others with Multiple Recognitions
While many players have won once, few have repeated. Some names include:
- Eden Hazard: Winner in the Young Player category more than once.
- Zlatan
- But beyond those, the award diversity signals how difficult repeated dominance is.
In that sense, the gap between Mbappé and even the second-tier repeat winners is wide.
The Role of Club Domination in Award Success
A solitary star rarely wins awards alone — context matters. Seeing players who dominated Ligue 1 awards also means looking at how their clubs supported success.
PSG’s Pull and Prestige
Paris Saint-Germain has been heavily represented in award winners, especially in the 2010s and 2020s. Their financial muscle and recruiting power allow them to assemble squads where a star can shine.
Many of Mbappé’s wins came alongside PSG league titles — boosting visibility and narrative.
Stability and Role Definition
A player in a stable environment with a defined attacking role stands a better chance. When a player is the focal point of a team’s offense, they accumulate stats and influence — both important in award voting.
Legacy Beyond France
Dominating domestic accolades is impressive, but what separates legends is their footprint beyond Ligue 1.
- Mbappé, after departing Ligue 1, continues his prominence on global stages.
- Ibrahimović’s storied career in multiple countries enhanced how we perceive his dominance years in France.
- Other repeat winners may not have matched international impact, but their French legacies remain.
When we ask “players who dominated Ligue 1 awards,” we’re also asking who leveraged that success into broader stardom.
Challenges to Domination in Modern Ligue 1
In recent seasons, some trends make domination harder:
- Squad depth across the league: More competitive squads now dilute individual dominance.
- Voting dynamics: Peer voting and media influence make consensus harder.
- Shorter peaks: Players tend to peak for fewer seasons before injuries or transfers intervene.
Thus, the fact Mbappé held the baton for five straight is all the more remarkable.
Conclusion
Players who dominated Ligue 1 awards are a rare breed. At the top sits Kylian Mbappé, whose five consecutive Player of the Year trophies and trio of Young Player awards place him in a class of his own. Others like Zlatan Ibrahimović and Eden Hazard left their marks, but their dominance was intermittent.
IndiGoal invites you to explore further: dive into the full list of UNFP winners, compare league-to-league dominance (Bundesliga, La Liga, Premier League), or track the next rising star who might challenge Mbappé’s legacy. Come back for player profiles, transfer analysis, and record-breaking stories.