{"id":1449764,"date":"2026-05-18T12:27:37","date_gmt":"2026-05-18T11:27:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?post_type=features&#038;p=1449764"},"modified":"2026-05-18T12:28:49","modified_gmt":"2026-05-18T11:28:49","slug":"ligue-1-vitinha-robin-risser-joaquin-panichelli-esteban-lepaul-awards","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/ligue-1-vitinha-robin-risser-joaquin-panichelli-esteban-lepaul-awards\/","title":{"rendered":"Ligue 1 analysis: Vitinha, Risser and the 2025-26 End-of-Season Awards"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>The 2025-26 Ligue 1 season drew to a close on Sunday night. Paris Saint-Germain successfully defended their crown, but were run close by surprise package Lens. Lille, meanwhile, finished third, one point and one place ahead of Lyon.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Metz and Nantes were relegated following disappointing campaigns. The latter saw their final game of the season abandoned after 22 minutes as fans invaded the pitch in protest of their relegation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here, we run through the relevant end-of-season awards following the culmination of the 2025-26 campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-table-of-contents yoast-table-of-contents\"><h2>Ligue 1 awards:<\/h2><ul><li><a href=\"#h-player-of-the-season\" data-level=\"3\">Player of the Season<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-young-player-of-the-season\" data-level=\"3\">Young Player of the Season<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-manager-of-the-season\" data-level=\"3\">Manager of the Season<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-signing-of-the-season\" data-level=\"3\">Signing of the Season<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-surprise-package\" data-level=\"3\">Surprise Package<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-player-of-the-season\">Player of the Season<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Vitinha (PSG)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ousmane Dembele won the official award, despite only starting 11 league games this season. However, we\u2019re opting for PSG\u2019s tempo-setter. Vitinha was again brilliant as the Parisian powerhouse won the league.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Portuguese pass-master managed the fourth highest pass accuracy (93.8%) and more passes per 90 (116.3) than any other player. What\u2019s more, the 26-year-old finished the season with seven assists to his name. Only two players managed more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Vitinha is absolutely instrumental to the way PSG dominate opponents. He may not get the same praise as the likes of Dembele, Desire Doue or Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Yet the Portugal international shines like no other at the Parc des Princes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-young-player-of-the-season\">Young Player of the Season<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Robin Risser (Lens)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lens kept on the coattails of PSG until the penultimate game of the season. The Blood and Gold exceeded expectations to challenge the capital outfit right until the death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And a key reason for their challenge was shotstopper Robin Risser. The 21-year-old left Strasbourg for Lens last summer. In the 12 months since, he\u2019s established himself as one of the most promising goalkeepers in Europe.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/05\/18122100\/season_stat-leader-top-10-betway-18-819x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1449769\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/05\/18122100\/season_stat-leader-top-10-betway-18-819x1024.jpg 819w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/05\/18122100\/season_stat-leader-top-10-betway-18-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/05\/18122100\/season_stat-leader-top-10-betway-18-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/05\/18122100\/season_stat-leader-top-10-betway-18-1229x1536.jpg 1229w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/05\/18122100\/season_stat-leader-top-10-betway-18-214x267.jpg 214w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/05\/18122100\/season_stat-leader-top-10-betway-18-160x200.jpg 160w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/05\/18122100\/season_stat-leader-top-10-betway-18-48x60.jpg 48w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/05\/18122100\/season_stat-leader-top-10-betway-18-120x150.jpg 120w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/05\/18122100\/season_stat-leader-top-10-betway-18-59x74.jpg 59w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/05\/18122100\/season_stat-leader-top-10-betway-18.jpg 1620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Lens conceded just 35 league goals this season with Risser on hand to finish 10th for saves (78). What\u2019s more, only Berke Ozer (13) kept more clean sheets than the Frenchman (11) in the 2025-26 Ligue 1 campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-manager-of-the-season\">Manager of the Season<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Pierre Sage (Lens)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Granted, Luis Enrique oversaw another Ligue 1 title. However, PSG are always expected to win the league. That they had genuine competition for the first time in a long time is down to Pierre Sage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sage left his role as Lyon boss last January. He then took over the Stade Bollaert-Delelis over the summer. Lens hardly struggled last season, finishing eighth, but Sage took the club to the next level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lens secured a Champions League finish, ending the campaign just six points behind PSG. And under the watchful eye of Sage, they will play their first Coupe de France final since 1998 when they face Nice on Friday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-signing-of-the-season\">Signing of the Season<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Joaquin Panichelli (Strasbourg)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Joaquin Panichelli was unlikely to hold down a starting spot for Alaves after a serious knee injury. However, a commendable loan stint with Mirandes in 2024-25 convinced Strasbourg to sign the Argentine.<\/p>\n\n\n<hr \/>\r\n<h2><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/go\/sky-bet?q=gb-all-soa-bs4-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sky Bet Offer<\/a>: Get \u00a340 in free bets when you place any bet<\/h2>\r\n<p>Looking for some free bets to boost your betting fund? Sky Bet are offering customers the chance to get \u00a340 in free bets when they sign up and place any qualifying bet.<\/p>\r\n<p><a href=\"\/en\/go\/sky-bet?q=gb-all-con-wof-s-spo\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-1422496\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2023\/11\/06113653\/image-143-1024x290.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"290\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2023\/11\/06113653\/image-143-1024x290.png 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2023\/11\/06113653\/image-143-300x85.png 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2023\/11\/06113653\/image-143-768x218.png 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2023\/11\/06113653\/image-143-1536x435.png 1536w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2023\/11\/06113653\/image-143-400x113.png 400w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2023\/11\/06113653\/image-143-600x170.png 600w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2023\/11\/06113653\/image-143-212x60.png 212w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2023\/11\/06113653\/image-143-150x43.png 150w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2023\/11\/06113653\/image-143-40x11.png 40w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2023\/11\/06113653\/image-143.png 2036w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\r\n<ol>\r\n<li><a href=\"\/en\/go\/sky-bet?q=gb-all-con-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Sign up at Sky Bet<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0using this link<\/li>\r\n<li>Place a qualifying bet of at least 5p on a single or each way bet at odds of 1\/1 or greater, as your first bet<\/li>\r\n<li>Claim your \u00a340 free bet bonus<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<h5 class=\"bookmaker-row exclusive\" style=\"text-align: center;\" data-filter=\"  all-bookmakers free-bets in-play new-bookmaker world-cup-offers\">18+ NEW CUSTOMERS ONLY. FIRST SINGLE &amp; E\/W BET ONLY ODDS OF 1\/1 OR GREATER. 4 X \u00a310 BET TOKENS. FREE BET STAKES NOT INCLUDED IN RETURNS. FREE BETS ARE NON WITHDRAWABLE. FREE BETS ARE NON WITHDRAWABLE. FREE BETS EXPIRE AFTER 30 DAYS. ELIGIBILITY RESTRICTIONS AND FURTHER T&amp;CS APPLY.<\/h5>\r\n<hr \/>\n\n\n\n<p>And Panichelli was thriving for the French side up until suffering an ACL injury during an international training session in March. It was a huge blow for both player and club. The striker, after all, was expected to represent Argentina at the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/world-cup-2026-betting-tips-predictions\/\">2026 World Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Only one player scored more goals than the 23-year-old (16) in the 2025-26 Ligue 1 campaign. His season may have been cut short but Panichelli proved to be the most effective frontman in his debut campaign in France. Fans will hope he returns stronger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-surprise-package\">Surprise Package<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Esteban Lepaul (Rennes)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Esteban Lepaul was another contender for Signing of the Season. Few could have foreseen the 26-year-old claiming the Golden Boot. Indeed, Lapaul scored more goals (21) than any other player in Ligue 1 last season.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/05\/18122119\/season_stat-leader-top-10-betway-17-819x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1449770\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/05\/18122119\/season_stat-leader-top-10-betway-17-819x1024.jpg 819w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/05\/18122119\/season_stat-leader-top-10-betway-17-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/05\/18122119\/season_stat-leader-top-10-betway-17-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/05\/18122119\/season_stat-leader-top-10-betway-17-1229x1536.jpg 1229w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/05\/18122119\/season_stat-leader-top-10-betway-17-214x267.jpg 214w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/05\/18122119\/season_stat-leader-top-10-betway-17-160x200.jpg 160w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/05\/18122119\/season_stat-leader-top-10-betway-17-48x60.jpg 48w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/05\/18122119\/season_stat-leader-top-10-betway-17-120x150.jpg 120w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/05\/18122119\/season_stat-leader-top-10-betway-17-59x74.jpg 59w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/05\/18122119\/season_stat-leader-top-10-betway-17.jpg 1620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Lepaul had never been the most prolific frontman in Ligue 1. His debut campaign in the top-flight yielded just nine goals. However, he thrived under, first, Habib Beye, and then Franck Haise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It was a shock, then, that Lepaul was overlooked by France boss Didier Deschamps for the 2026 World Cup. Granted, the Rennes hitman is yet to win a Les Bleus cap. Yet, 21 league goals should have been enough to book a trip stateside next month.<\/p>\n\n\n    <div class=\"sq-articles-list\">\n                <div class=\"sq-cards\">\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/argentina-vs-switzerland-penalty-analysis-world-cup-2026\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/10115150\/argentina-vs-switzerland-penalties-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Argentina vs Switzerland penalty analysis: Who will win if quarter-final goes all the way?\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n       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class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/connorholden\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Connor Holden                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">22 hours ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/spain-vs-belgium-penalty-analysis-world-cup-2026\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/09142325\/spain-vs-belgium-penalties-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Spain vs Belgium penalty analysis: Who will win if quarter-final goes all the way?\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/spain-vs-belgium-penalty-analysis-world-cup-2026\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    Spain vs Belgium penalty analysis: Who will win if quarter-final goes all the way?                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/harry-edwards\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Harry Edwards                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">23 hours ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/france-vs-morocco-penalty-analysis-world-cup-2026\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/09133027\/france-vs-morocco-penalties-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"France vs Morocco penalty analysis: Who will win if quarter-final goes all the way?\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/france-vs-morocco-penalty-analysis-world-cup-2026\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    France vs Morocco penalty analysis: Who will win if quarter-final goes all the way?                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/harry-edwards\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Harry Edwards                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">1 day ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                    <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The 2025-26 Ligue 1 season drew to a close on Sunday night. Paris Saint-Germain successfully defended their crown, but were run close by surprise package Lens. Lille, meanwhile, finished third, one point and one place ahead of Lyon. Metz and Nantes were relegated following disappointing campaigns. The latter saw their final game of the season&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3564,"featured_media":1449765,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":"","_yoast_wpseo_title":"","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Ligue 1 analysis of the 2025-26 season, featuring PSG star Vitinha, Lens wonderkid Robin Risser, surprise package Esteban Lepaul and the full end-of-season awards.","footnotes":""},"tags":[],"features-category":[],"squawka-category":[],"class_list":["post-1449764","features","type-features","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":{"external_featured_image_url":"","hide_featured_image_pattern":false},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.1 (Yoast SEO v27.1.1) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Ligue 1 analysis: Vitinha, Risser and the 2025-26 End-of-Season Awards | Squawka | EN<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Ligue 1 analysis of the 2025-26 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