
Ligue 1 2024-25: PSG's Ousmane Dembele named Player Of The Year
Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembele was named the Ligue 1 player of the year on Sunday, after leading the club to a 13th French title and the Champions League final.
Dembele is the top scorer in Ligue 1 this season with 21 goals and has struck 33 times in 46 matches across all competitions, including eight goals in Europe.
He succeeds Kylian Mbappe who won the prize five times in a row before departing for Real Madrid at the end of last season.
2016: Ligue 1's Best Talent of the Season
2025: Ligue 1's Best Player of the Season
OUSMANE DEMBÉLÉ 👏 pic.twitter.com/CN7EOB8lL1 — Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) May 11, 2025
Luis Enrique earned coach of the year honours at the UNFP (French players' union) Trophies gala, while Desire Doue took home the prize for the best young player in Ligue 1.
Lille's Lucas Chevalier denied PSG a clean sweep of the accolades as he beat Gianluigi Donnarumma to the best goalkeeper award.
PSG is on course for a treble after easing to an 11th Ligue 1 title in 13 years. It will play Inter Milan in the Champions League final on May 31, a week after facing Reims in the French Cup showpiece.
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Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
FIFA Club World Cup 2025: Chelsea triumph over Los Angeles FC amid sparse attendance; Boca Juniors, Benfica play out draw
Chelsea players celebrate after scoring against Los Angeles FC in the FIFA Club World Cup. (Reuters) Chelsea secured a 2-0 victory against Los Angeles FC in their Club World Cup Group D opener on Monday in Atlanta, with goals from Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez, while new signing Liam Delap made his debut as a substitute in front of a sparse crowd of 22,000 at the 71,000-capacity Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The match marked Chelsea's first step in their campaign following their UEFA Conference League triumph and Champions League qualification. Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca praised the team's performance and Delap's contribution. "The good thing about Liam is he knows the way we want to play, so the process is quite quick," said the Italian. "The environment was a bit strange, the stadium was almost empty, not full," Maresca told reporters. The 3:00 pm local time kick-off on a Monday affected attendance significantly, despite the stadium's closed roof providing shelter from Georgia's summer heat. A small group of LAFC supporters, numbering in the hundreds, maintained atmosphere with drums and songs behind Hugo Lloris' goal. LAFC entered the competition after beating Club America in a May play-off, replacing the banned Mexican side Club Leon. The low attendance, with the top ring completely closed and other levels partially filled despite reduced ticket prices, marked the first significant challenge for FIFA's expanded competition. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Memperdagangkan CFD Emas dengan salah satu spread terendah? IC Markets Mendaftar Undo The tournament serves as a trial run for the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted jointly by the US, Canada, and Mexico. Chelsea dominated the early proceedings, with Lloris saving attempts from Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke, while Cole Palmer's shot went just over. Jackson, competing for his starting position with new arrival Delap watching from the bench, played a crucial role in the opening goal. The striker provided an excellent through ball to Neto, who skilfully manoeuvred past LA defender Ryan Hollingshead before scoring with a powerful near-post shot. Former Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud's introduction at halftime helped improve LAFC's performance in the second half. Chelsea faced pressure as goalkeeper Sanchez made a crucial save against Denis Bouanga, the 2023 MLS golden boot winner, after he broke free from Neto's marking. Delap made his Chelsea debut after the hour mark, immediately showing promise by attempting to set up Fernandez. The match concluded with Fernandez scoring Chelsea's second goal, controlling Delap's cross from the right and beating Lloris in the six-yard box. LA coach Cherundolo addressed the attendance concerns with measured response. "Regarding crowds I think it's kind of different each game you look at so I don't think we should be talking about this right now," said Cherundolo. "I think we should wait until the end of the tournament...(to make) an opinion about it as a whole, as opposed to one game." Boca Juniors denied by Benfica 's Argentines Benfica secured a dramatic 2-2 draw against Boca Juniors in a Club World Cup Group C match at Miami Gardens, with Argentine internationals Angel Di Maria and Nicolas Otamendi scoring for the Portuguese side. Despite being reduced to 10 men, Benfica fought back from a 2-0 deficit to deny Boca Juniors victory in what was essentially a home game for the Argentine club. Boca Juniors had established a commanding lead through goals from Miguel Merentiel and Rodrigo Battaglia. The atmosphere was electric with 55,574 spectators, predominantly Boca supporters, filling the Hard Rock Stadium. Thousands of Boca fans had gathered on Miami Beach over the weekend for a traditional 'banderazo', creating a festive atmosphere with singing and flag-waving in the heat. The match began with intense pressure from Boca Juniors, showcasing their determination to prove themselves against European competition. The first significant reaction from the crowd came when Di Maria received a tough challenge from behind. Lautaro Blanco's skillful play led to the opening goal in the 21st minute. He beat Benfica's Florentino with a nutmeg before delivering a low cross that Merentiel cleverly converted. Boca doubled their lead six minutes later when Battaglia headed home from close range, connecting with Ayrton Costa's header from Kevin Zenon's corner. Benfica got back into the game through a VAR-awarded penalty, which included a red card for the already substituted Boca midfielder Ander Herrera for protesting. Di Maria converted the spot-kick just before halftime. The match took another turn when Benfica's Andrea Belotti received a red card in the 71st minute for a dangerous high kick to Ayrton Costa's head. Despite being a man down, Benfica found an equaliser in the 84th minute through Otamendi, who headed in Orkun Kokcu's corner kick. The match ended with Boca's Nicolas Figal receiving a red card for a dangerous challenge on Florentino. "We're left with a bitter taste because we thought we could have won it. We gave our all, we competed, we ran... we played the way we needed to, but we're left with a bitter taste because we didn't know how to take advantage of having an extra man, and they scored from a set piece," said Boca defender Rodrigo Battaglia. "We tried to win it. We know what Argentinian football is. We knew how we had to play, but in the first half we didn't play that way. We needed a bit more. In the second half we played much better. We tried to win the game at the end, but we couldn't quite do it," said Di Maria. Bayern Munich and Auckland FC are the other teams in Group C of the Club World Cup. FIFA Club World Cup Results: Group C: Boca Juniors 2-2 Benfica (Merentiel 21', Battaglia 27'; Di Maria 45+3' pen, Otamendi 84') Group D: Chelsea 2-0 Los Angeles FC (Neto 34', Fernandez 79') Group D: Flamengo 2-0 Esperance (De Arrascaeta 17', Luiz Araujo 70')


Hindustan Times
17 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Soccer-Healthy crowds and Messi mania lift Club World Cup, but quality gap shows
* Fears of empty stands do not materialise * Messi's presence adds to party atmosphere * Healthy crowds bring relief to organiser FIFA * Australian semi-professionals' thrashing raises mismatch worry MIAMI, - The expanded Club World Cup has kicked off with healthy crowds, "Messi mania" and a festival atmosphere in Miami, giving an early vindication to world football body FIFA after fears of empty stands and global disinterest. FIFA controversially awarded Lionel Messi's Inter Miami a backdoor route into the tournament, ensuring the sport's biggest name would be there after he propelled soccer to new heights in a country often ambivalent to the world's most popular game. Some 61,000 fans packed the Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday to watch the Argentine and teammates play Egyptian giants Al-Ahly in a goalless draw. Another strong crowd turned out on Sunday for the clash between Paris St Germain and Atletico Madrid, which ended in a one-sided 4-0 win for the Champions League winners. However, Bayern Munich's 10-0 demolition of semi-professional Auckland City underscored the worrying gulf in quality between some of the competing clubs. But the opening weekend largely delivered what FIFA had hoped for: vibrant crowds and global representation. South American supporters made their presence especially felt. More than 1,000 Boca Juniors fans in blue and gold turned Miami Beach into a party strip on Sunday ahead of their opening match, singing club anthems and waving flags in scenes reminiscent of a World Cup carnival. "Wherever you go, Boca is here,' Gaston San Paul, a fan who flew in from Entre Rios in Argentina, told Reuters. 'Wherever we are we do this,' he added, referring to the "Banderazo" , a fan gathering destined to mark territory ahead of a game. Boca and Real Madrid games were among the top early ticket sellers, according to FIFA, which said that top markets after the U.S. were Brazil, Argentina and Mexico. Talk of empty stands was at least provisionally dismissed as well as heightened anxiety in the immigrant-heavy Miami area following recent federal immigration raids. At the heart of the opening weekend buzz was Messi, whose presence has elevated Inter Miami's profile and guaranteed global glamour for the tournament. $1 BILLION DEAL Messi, who received a standing ovation before kickoff, was unable to find the net against Al-Ahly but provided flashes of brilliance in a tightly contested, physical match. FIFA is banking not only on Messi's star power but also on a radical new broadcast strategy. The tournament is being streamed for free worldwide by DAZN in a $1 billion deal. That agreement followed Saudi Arabia's SURJ Sports Investment, a subsidiary of the country's Public Investment Fund , acquiring a minority stake in DAZN for a reported $1 billion — another marker of the kingdom's growing investment footprint in sport. The partnership, one of the largest broadcast packages in football history, is central to FIFA's push to maximize digital engagement and position the Club World Cup as a global spectacle ahead of the 2026 World Cup in North America. The $1 billion prize money, which ensures a hefty $125 million for the winners, was an obvious incentive for the European clubs. "There's a lot of money at stake. If you have the chance to earn a lot of money at a tournament, you should take the chance," former Bayern legend Karl Heinz Rummenigge said in the run-up. DAZN has yet to provide viewership data. While the crowds gave FIFA reason to be cheerful, the Bayern Munich v Auckland City match raised awkward questions about the tournament's balance as the German champions obliterated their opponents 10-0. Despite the lopsided contest in Cincinnati, the overall mood among organizers was one of optimism, calling the opening weekend a resounding success. Many Floridians, however, did not know a global soccer event was taking place in their state. "There is a World Cup? Hockey?," said one person working in a restaurant in Miami Beach. "This tournament is new, and it is different. It is the very first time clubs and players from all over the world have had the chance to face each other in competitive matches on a global stage," FIFA said, referring to the 32-club format after the previous editions featured seven. With group matches continuing through the week and Boca's opener against Benfica expected to draw another bumper crowd in Miami later on Monday, FIFA will be hoping to build on the early momentum — and avoid more one-sided encounters like the one in Cincinnati as European teams appear to be a level above those from other continents'.


Time of India
18 hours ago
- Time of India
At Club World Cup, Lionel Messi's Mas and Spanish take center stage
Image via Instagram Lionel Messi 's energy drink launch, Mas by Messi , at the Chase Stadium in Florida wasn't just another branding event. It underscored how Spanish has become the unofficial language of the FIFA Club World Cup. The presence of Messi, Inter Miami owners Jorge and Jose Mas, and Argentina legend Javier Zanetti made the moment more than promotional, it marked a cultural shift that's been brewing for years. Lionel Messi headlines Club World Cup as Spanish-speaking stars, coaches, and media take center stage The Club World Cup's opening night made one thing obvious, Spanish is no longer just a dominant football language, it's the language of elite football. The event was held in South Florida, where the Hispanic influence is built into the city's infrastructure, economy, and daily life. The fans in attendance, many draped in Lionel Messi's Argentina and Inter Miami jerseys, mirrored the demographic makeup of the tournament itself. Over 300 South American players are participating in this edition of the Club World Cup. Argentina alone has contributed 105 players, with 47 of them playing outside the country. Coaches, media members, and support staff are also overwhelmingly Spanish-speaking. Two days before kickoff, Gianni Infantino delivered his address in Spanish. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo The pre-match music was Latin club-style. Even the crowd chants echoed South American rhythms. This isn't limited to location or music, it extends to tactics, management, and communication. Spanish is the most spoken language in the locker rooms. Lionel Messi once said Kylian Mbappé would have no trouble at Paris Saint-Germain because 'he speaks perfect Spanish.' Kalvin Phillips struggled at Manchester City partly because he didn't speak Spanish. That detail matters when a club employs seven Spanish-speaking coaches. John Stones took Spanish lessons. Erling Haaland started studying Spanish before he even signed. It's tactical too. Pep Guardiola's football ideology continues to shape world football, and that tactical language has Spanish roots. Graham Potter and Enzo Maresca are both considered part of this coaching wave that leans on Spanish principles. Luis Enrique's success at Paris Saint-Germain involved breaking the language divide in the squad.