Mbappé and Donnarumma awarded at the UNFP Awards
The Paris Saint-Germain striker and goalkeeper were recognised by their peers for their performances in Ligue 1 at the prestigious 30th UNFP awards ceremony.
After breaking all records as a youngster, after having won the title of top scorer of the league three times, Kylian Mbappé continued to be honoured by the players of the French league at the UNFP Awards. Already crowned best young player in the French top flight three times and best player in Ligue 1 twice, the world champion has just been voted best player of the league again for the 2021-2022 season.
"I am very happy, I thank the whole club, my teammates, all those who work at the club, the staff, and of course the President. They helped me enormously to contribute to this third consecutive title. It is important to leave a mark, to always try to make history, and winning collective and individual titles is what counts for any football player. I have the chance to do it, so I am happy", the winner told us afterwards.
Currently the league's top passer (17 assists) and top scorer (25 goals), he is just one match away from completing this double for the first time in French football history. He would also finish as top scorer in the French championship for the fourth consecutive season. An amazing consistency, when we consider that only two players have managed to win this title four times in a row in the history of French football: Carlos Bianchi (4 times from 1975 to 1979) and Jean Pierre Papin (5 times from 1988 to 1992). A record that is more than 30 years old...
At the other end of the field, Gigio Donnarumma was voted best goalkeeper by his peers after his first season in the French top flight. Competing with Walter Benitez, Alban Lafont, Pau Lopez and Matz Sels, the young Italian keeper succeeded his team-mate Keylor Navas.
He had already been awarded the Yashin Trophy at the Ballon d'Or ceremony last November, with journalists celebrating him as the best goalkeeper in the world. "I'm very happy to receive this trophy, and happy to celebrate with the team. I'm happy to be here in Paris, and I hope that next year we will be even better," the European champion told PSGTV.
Finally, left-back Nuno Mendes and captain Marquinhos complete the set, having all been honoured in the best XI of the season alongside Kylian Mbappé and Gigio Donnarumma.
Special mention for the Brazilian, who for the fourth consecutive season is in what his peers consider to be the best central defender in the league.
