Opinion
Editor's Team of the Season: George
The 2024-2025 season has had a particular Rouge et Bleu tinge, especially since the turn of the year where Paris Saint-Germain have gone on to impress both domestically in Ligue 1 McDonald's as well as in the UEFA Champions League. Whilst we'll have to wait and see whether Luis Enrique and Les Parisiens can go on to win the country's second-ever Champions League title, the club from the French capital are heavily present in my team of the season.
THE DEFENCE: Donnarumma, Hakimi, Balerdi, Pacho, Mendes
Let's start with the goalkeeper and the defence. Paris Saint-Germain edged out both Lille and Lens in being the team that have conceded the least this season with only 35 goals being scored against the champions. For that reason Gianluigi Donnarumma starts between the sticks for my team of the season. His performances at the European level are clear arguments in his favour, including penalty stops against Liverpool and heroics against Aston Villa. The Italian has also been performing well for Luis Enrique's men domestically in his 26 appearances in the league this season, with five clean sheets to his name and another Ligue 1 McDonald's trophy.
Nuno Mendes, Willian Pacho, and Achraf Hakimi have proved excellent once again this season in a PSG side that often relies on its' defenders to be the starting blocks for constructing attacks. Marseille defender Leonardo Balerdi earns his place alongside Pacho for his major role in terms of leadership and composure to help Roberto De Zerbi's side clinch second place and a return to the Champions League. The Argentine has an impressive 94% pass completion rate out from the back, and has been exemplary both on and off the pitch this season for Les Olympiens.
THE MIDFIELD: Vitinha, Neves, and Santos
Portuguese pair Vitinha and Joao Neves were one of the first names on this XI: the two often work in tandem and have been tearing apart teams in Ligue 1 McDonald's this season with subtle, swift, but technical playmaking ability. Four assists for Neves in his first two matches in 2024-2025 really set the tone for a great first season in the French capital, which extended to the continent on their run to the Champions League final.
Andrey Santos came to France with big expectations, but he managed to shine in his first 13 games enough so that Strasbourg had to keep the Brazilian. Under Liam Rosenior Santos has reached another level, being aggressive out of possession and chipping in with nine goals this season for RCSA - his status off the pitch has seen him grown into a leader.
THE ATTACK: Cherki, Dembélé, and Greenwood
Rayan Cherki looks to be leaving Lyon this summer, but he'll depart as the major creative outlet of Les Gones this season. The attacking midfielder has added a killer touch to his game in front of goal this season, scoring eight in 30 Ligue 1 McDonald's matches as well as four in the UEFA Europa League. Mason Greenwood has been an efficient goal-scorer in front of goal for Marseille this season, and despite a difficult mid-season the Englishman managed to catch up Ousmane Dembélé in the goal-scoring standings on the final day of the season with a brace. Greenwood has the most goals in a debut season for a Marseille player in the 21st century, ahead of the leimkes of Bafetimbi Gomis (20) and Didier Drogba (19).
Yet, the cherry on the cake will be Ousmane Dembélé, who has indisputably lit up both Ligue 1 McDonald's and Europe this season with Paris Saint-Germain. No Mbappé? No Problem for PSG. Since the turn of the year, the France international has stepped up as the chief goal scorer for Luis Enrique's men - a complete transformation into a killer false nine that has terrorised European and French defences. With 33 goals for Les Parisiens and 21 just domestically, his impact makes him the standout player in Ligue 1 McDonald's this season.
