Our 10 breakout stars of the Ligue 1 season | OneFootball

Blood and Gold galore!

That’s it, it’s over. The 2025-2026 Ligue 1 season officially came to a close this Sunday evening. 

A thrilling campaign right up to the very last second of the final matchday, one that saw several players explode onto the scene and become major figures in the league. 

Here are our ten breakout stars of the 2025-2026 L1 season!

Mamadou Sangaré - RC Lens

Arriving from Rapid Vienna last summer in complete anonymity, Mamadou Sangaré is, for many observers, the best player in Ligue 1 this season.

The Malian was the maestro, the engine, and the do-it-all man for RC Lens, the surprise package of the season. 

From unknown to one of the best midfielders in Europe, in a single season. Quite simply.

📸 CLEMENT MAHOUDEAU - AFP or licensors

Afonso Moreira - OL

He too made a huge impression and gave defenses nightmares.

Signed last summer from Sporting’s reserve team, Afonso Moreira is Olympique Lyonnais’ breakout star of the season.

The 21-year-old Portuguese winger became one of the first names Paulo Fonseca picked on his team sheet.

📸 OLIVIER CHASSIGNOLE - AFP or licensors

Valentín Barco - RC Strasbourg

An Argentine gem, Valentín Barco has been tipped for a bright future for several years now.

After arriving in Strasbourg last winter, the 21-year-old exploded this season for the Alsatian club. 

So much so that he is on the verge of signing for Chelsea next season and is all but certain to play at the World Cup with his national team.

📸 FREDERICK FLORIN - AFP or licensors

Robin Risser - RC Lens

Crowned the league’s best goalkeeper, Robin Risser made a massive impact in his first season as the undisputed number one for a Ligue 1 club.

He made such an impact that Didier Deschamps selected him for the World Cup! The perfect season.

📸 THOMAS SAMSON - AFP or licensors

Mathieu Udol - RC Lens

He, too, almost certainly came close to making the World Cup squad.

A familiar face in Ligue 1 with FC Metz, Mathieu Udol reached a stratospheric level this season, one bordering on international class. 

The former Grenats captain proved he was no longer made for the L1-L2 yo-yo.

📸 SAMEER AL-DOUMY - AFP or licensors

Arsene Kouassi - FC Lorient

Arriving from AC Ajaccio last summer, Arsene Kouassi was one of the key players in one of the most exciting teams of the season: FC Lorient.

Crosses, free-kicks, long-range strikes: the Burkinabé left wing-back and his magic left foot treated us all season long. 

📸 FRED TANNEAU - AFP or licensors

Pavel Šulc - OL

The mullet, the mustache, and the number 10 on his back: Pavel Šulc was one of Ligue 1’s main attractions this season.

The Czech, completely unknown in France last summer, revealed himself to be a magnificent player and a terrifying fox in the box for opposing defenses. 

Estéban Lepaul - Stade Rennais

Let’s stay with the forwards and give a shoutout to the top scorer of the 2025-26 season: Estéban Lepaul!

We already knew how dangerous and promising he was at SCO Angers; he became a benchmark of consistency at Rennes.

Lepaul is the breakout number 9 of the season!

📸 GABRIEL BOUYS - AFP or licensors

Ismaëlo Ganiou - RC Lens

Loaned to Annecy in Ligue 2 last season, Ismaëlo Ganiou adapted to Ligue 1 at lightning speed.

The 21-year-old Lens defender is quite simply one of the best players in his position this season. What talent, what presence, and what a revelation!

📸 MATTHIEU RONDEL - AFP or licensors

Ilan Kebbal - Paris FC

The little prince of Paris FC.

The Algerian number 10 became the driving force of the Parisian club from the very first minutes of the season.

The standout attraction of one of Ligue 1’s most exciting attractions.

📸 FRANCK FIFE - AFP or licensors

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.

📸 SAMEER AL-DOUMY - AFP or licensors