Ousmane Dembélé Playfully Teases Vitinha at UNFP Awards as Nuno Mendes and Vitinha Make Ligue 1 Team of the Year

Ousmane Dembélé was honoured as Ligue 1 Player of the Year for the second consecutive season at the recent UNFP Awards ceremony. During his acceptance speech, he took the opportunity to good-naturedly tease his Paris Saint-Germain teammate Vitinha, who was also a strong contender for the award.

Dembélé, who plays under coach Luis Enrique at PSG, expressed his gratitude to his family, club staff, president, and especially the coach, describing Luis Enrique as "exceptional." The award recognises Dembélé's outstanding performances throughout the Ligue 1 season, highlighting his influence and consistency in France's top division.

Vitinha, a Portuguese midfielder, was among the favourites for the Player of the Year accolade and was named in the Ligue 1 Team of the Year alongside fellow PSG player Nuno Mendes. However, Dembélé humorously pointed out Vitinha's modest goal-scoring record this season, joking that he would have deserved the prize "but only with a goal scored." Vitinha has scored just one goal in the league this campaign, which became a lighthearted topic during the ceremony.

The exchange between the two teammates continued with Vitinha responding warmly, acknowledging Dembélé's deserving status as the best player in the league. He then playfully warned the ceremony hosts to hurry up before Dembélé started "sweating too much," adding a touch of humour to the event. This camaraderie reflects the positive atmosphere within the PSG squad, which includes several standout performers.

Additionally, the awards night featured a tribute from Désiré Doué, who was recognised as Ligue 1's biggest young talent. Doué congratulated Dembélé, calling him an example for all emerging players in the league.

While João Neves, another Portuguese player, was not included in the Team of the Year, the presence of Vitinha and Nuno Mendes highlights the significant impact Portuguese players are having in Ligue 1. PSG's strong representation in the awards underlines the club's continued dominance and the quality of its squad under Luis Enrique's management.

Looking ahead, PSG will aim to build on the individual and collective successes celebrated at the UNFP Awards as they continue their campaign in Ligue 1 and other competitions. The recognition of players like Dembélé, Vitinha, and Nuno Mendes could boost morale and performance in the crucial stages of the season, while the club's transfer market activity and tactical decisions by Luis Enrique will be closely watched by supporters and analysts alike.