The Trophées LFFP ceremony on Monday night celebrated the standout performers of the Première Ligue season, with OL Lyonnes star Melchie Dumornay headlining the honors as the league's best player. The event, held at the Pavillon Gabriel in Paris, also recognized FC Nantes coach Nicolas Chabot as best manager, Montpellier teenager Justine Rouquet as revelation of the year, and Paris FC goalkeeper Mylène Chavas as top goalkeeper. The accolades capped a week of double recognition for several winners after the UNFP awards, underscoring the growing depth of women's football in France.
Dumornay's victory marked her second major individual prize in just seven days, having been named the UNFP's player of the year. The Haitian international, absent from the ceremony due to OL Lyonnes' preparations for a crucial training session ahead of the Championship final and Champions League finale, participated via video link from Lyon. Her absence did not diminish the significance of the award, as she beat out Paris Saint-Germain's Sakina Karchaoui and Romée Leuchter, both of whom also skipped the event.
Addressing the audience remotely, Dumornay displayed a calm demeanor, reflecting her laser focus on the season's decisive matches. "I worked hard to reach this level," she said, crediting her teammates and staff. "Without the incredible group around me, I couldn't perform. Many of my teammates deserved this award too." Her humility and team-first attitude have become trademarks, even as she emerges as a leading candidate for the Ballon d'Or. Winning both the LFFP and UNFP awards strengthens her case, especially if Lyon secure a double of domestic league and European titles.
For Lyon, Dumornay's consistency has been a driving force in a largely dominant campaign. Still, the team faces immense pressure: a Championship final and a Champions League final on the horizon. Her ability to deliver in these high-stakes encounters could define not only Lyon's season but her own place in football history. The Ballon d'Or conversation around her is no longer speculative; teammates and opponents alike acknowledge her influence.
In the coaching category, Nicolas Chabot's recognition as best manager reflects a transformative impact at FC Nantes, a club not traditionally at the summit of women's football. Under his guidance, Nantes reached the Première Ligue semi-finals, where they suffered a heavy defeat to the all-conquering OL Lyonnes. Yet, the journey to that stage was remarkable, highlighting Chabot's tactical acumen. He edged out Jonatan Giraldez of Lyon and last year's winner Sandrine Soubeyrand of Paris FC.
The 33-year-old coach is now one of the most sought-after technical minds in the game. With a year remaining on his contract, OM and several Spanish clubs have expressed interest in luring him away. The prospect of Chabot taking the helm at OM signals ambition for a club looking to close the gap. His decision could reshape the league's competitive balance. While he remained tight-lipped at the ceremony, the speculation promises to be a summer storyline.
Justine Rouquet's rise as the LFFP revelation of the year mirrors her earlier UNFP honor. The Montpellier forward, just 18, scored nine goals in 19 league appearances—a crucial tally that helped her boyhood club avoid relegation. Rouquet's breakout campaign has placed her firmly on the radar of larger clubs and the French national youth setup. She beat out Nantes duo Lucie Calba and Mélissa Bethi, proving that Montpellier's academy remains a talent hotbed.
Her nine-goal haul may seem modest, but for a teenager shouldering the attacking burden at a mid-table side, it indicates maturity beyond her years. Rouquet's game intelligence and composed finishing were pivotal. With likely increased expectations next season, she will need to build on this foundation. The award serves as both validation and a challenge to keep improving in a rapidly evolving league.
Mylène Chavas completed a unique double herself, having been voted best goalkeeper by both the UNFP and the LFFP. Chavas, who returned to France last summer after a stint with Real Madrid, was instrumental for Paris FC throughout the campaign. She kept the team competitive against richer rivals, her shot-stopping and command of the area earning consistent praise. She finished ahead of Christiane Endler, the Lyon and Chile legend who held the honor last season, and Nantes' Emily Burns.
At the ceremony, Chavas made a point of thanking her backup, Inès Marques, who was present in the room. That gesture underlined the collective spirit often celebrated in women's football. Her return to the Première Ligue has been a resounding success, and at 26, she may now be eyeing a more prominent role with the national team after featuring for France previously. The award validates her decision to come home.
The LFFP gala, beyond the glitz, revealed a league in transition—with established powers like Lyon still dominating, but challengers emerging through smart coaching and young talent. Dumornay's dual awards, Chabot's rising stock, Rouquet's promise, and Chavas's renaissance each tell a part of a broader narrative: French women's football is deepening its pool of stars and stories, raising the stakes ahead of a critical summer transfer window and a Lyon-led European assault.
Based on reporting from L'Equipe.
