The UNFP Trophies for the 2023-2024 season will offer great suspense for the title of best French footballer playing abroad, after the crowning of Karim Benzema during the last four editions.
Sparkling offensive leader of Real Madrid after the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo in 2018, Karim Benzema was logically elected best French footballer playing abroad during the last four editions of the UNFP Trophies (in 2019, 2021, 2022 and 2023, that of 2020 having been canceled due to Covid). The 2022 Ballon d’Or will most certainly be out of the running for this UNFP Trophy awarded next Monday, May 13.
Having left for Saudi Arabia last summer, the 36-year-old Lyonnais is not having a bad season individually (16 goals in 33 matches in all competitions), but his adventure at Al-Ittihad quickly turned into a disaster. He was poorly received by his first coach (Nuno Espirito Santo) and was the target of supporters of the reigning Saudi Arabian champion, before demanding his departure (” temporary “) from Jeddah in January!
A Griezmann-Thuram duel?
If Kylian Mbappé will logically win his fifth UNFP Trophy for Best Ligue 1 Player in a row, his teammates from the French team will win this honorary title of best French footballer playing abroad. Antoine Griezmann was the very first winner in 2016 (before a double from N’Golo Kanté) and could be crowned for his XXL performances with Atéltico de Madrid. A team which, however, did not play for the La Liga title…
Marcus Thuram would make a great winner, the Italian champion with Inter (by giving victory in the Milan derby to obtain the scudetto, Monday evening). Olivier Giroud, author of 15 goals with the Rossoneri, will perhaps be among the finalists, as will Real Madrid midfielders Aurélien Tchouaméni and Eduardo Camavinga. Finally, William Saliba could receive votes (from Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 players) to reward his good season with Arsenal, the current leader of the Premier League.
