Best of 2025-26: Best Forward
With the curtain having come down on the 2025/26 Ligue 1 McDonald's season, in a new series, the editorial staff picks their favorite moments of what was a thrilling season, continuing with the Best Forward. Join George Boxall, Eric Devin and Luke Entwistle for a bumper review.
Joaquín Panichelli, RC Strasbourg:
Joaquín Panichelli was unlucky to suffer an ACL injury in March which ruled him out of Strasbourg’s run-in. Because by the end of the season, it is easy to forget that the Argentinian striker has been one of, if not, the deadliest attacker this season in Ligue 1 McDonald’s bar, perhaps Esteban Lepaul and Marseille’s Mason Greenwood.
Admire the new Ligue 1 top scorer! 🏆
JOAQUÍN PANICHELLI 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/SOlIy9w0dQ— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) March 22, 2026
With Emmanuel Emegha set to join Chelsea at the end of the season, the transfer of Panichelli to Strasbourg raised some eyebrows at the start of the season when he joined from the Spanish second division. Yet the young Argentine international hit the ground running with RCSA this season almost immediately, with only Greenwood ahead of him in the goalscoring rankings for much of the season. In 27 matches in Ligue 1, the 23 year-old scored 16 goals and provided one assist, finishing second in the scoring charts even with his season cut short in March. It was a heartbreaking injury for Panichelli, who will miss the FIFA World Cup with Argentina after earning his first senior caps just several months ago. Strasbourg will be hoping that Panichelli will be returning sometime next season to lead the line once more following his recovery. -GB
Lassine Sinayoko, AJ Auxerre
Truth be told, Panichelli was the best forward in Ligue 1 McDonald's this season, and certainly the most complete. But for an injury, he would likely have tested Lepaul for top scorer, but with George already having made his choice (and Luke agreeing with his level over the course of the season), I'll have to go a different route, opting for Auxerre's Lassine Sinayoko. The Mali international was inspirational in the Africa Cup of Nations, nervelessly scoring three times in five matches as his side reached the quarterfinals.
SINAYOKO SAVES AUXERRE FROM RELEGATION! 🇲🇱🔥 pic.twitter.com/efMD96CNfA
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) May 17, 2026
But he saved his best for last with the Burgundians, netting a dozen times despite missing nearly two months at the tournament, including in a crucial stretch in the run-in that saw him score six goals in seven matches as his side edged OGC Nice to stay out of the relegation playoffs. He's likely not long for the Stade Abbé-Deschamps, but his coming good at age 26 for his first professional club is not only a heartwarming story but one which belies his work ethic. - ED
Esteban Lepaul, Stade Rennais
Once again, competition is fierce here, with a strong shout for Panichelli. Until his ACL injury in March, he was running Esteban Lepaul close for the Golden Boot. And that comes just a year after having been in the second division in Spain. What was impressive about the Argentine was also what he brought in build-up play, with his strength in holding off players, but also variety by also running the channels and in behind. Folarin Balogun, too, deserves a mention here, but you can’t overlook what Esteban Lepaul has done.
Esteban Lepaul, Ligue 1's Top Scorer, ranks his best goals of the season 🔥 #football #goals #Ligue1 #Ligue1McDonalds pic.twitter.com/AdVKfS41wl
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) May 20, 2026
Like Panichelli, it wasn’t long ago that Lepaul was competing in the lower divisions. It was only last season that he wasn’t even a starter at Angers. Of course, that changed in the second half of the season, when his goals earned him the move to Rennes. The transition to a “bigger” club was seamless. To reach 21 goals is an exceptional feat and one that can be attributed to his striker’s instincts, his ability to find space and then the composure and technical ability to finish. It wasn’t long ago that Lepaul was playing amateur football, and he ended this season with the Ligue 1 McDonald’s Golden Boot and with his name in the conversation for a call-up to France’s World Cup squad. -LE
