Like every year at the same time, the announcement of the nominees for the UNFP trophies is controversial. While the absence of Esteban Lepaul among the five candidates for the title of best player in Ligue 1 surprises some observers, the list of contenders for the title of best hope in the championship is also having a hard time getting through.
Warren Zaire-Emery (PSG), Désiré Doué (PSG), Joao Neves (PSG), Valentin Barco (Strasbourg) and Ayyoub Bouaddi (Lille) were selected in this category, which only concerns players aged 21 and under. An age criterion which is not suitable, according to Daniel Riolo, the first two cities having respectively won the trophy in 2024 and 2025.
“We are in trouble in French football”
“How can there be Doué?” He’s been here for three years. This is not possiblechokes the editorialist on RMC. This is completely stupid. Hope is the guy you don’t know, who you saw this year and who explodes. Neves, he is European champion, why is that a hope? Zaire-Emery, he’s been there for 10 years. It’s nonsense. »
“Just through that, we realize that we are falling behind in French footballhe continues, in the show After Football. As the best hope, you only put guys we’ve known for years. » Given the list, it would be surprising if a Parisian did not win, even if the Strasbourg and Lille players showed good things.
