Marseille star hit outs at UNFP over  Ligue 1 Player of the Year awards

Marseille striker Amine Gouiri has criticised the UNFP for snubbing his team-mates, including Mason Greenwood, from their end of season awards.

Gouiri joined his team-mate Adrien Rabiot and coach Roberto De Zerbi, who feel their efforts have been overlooked. In an interview with L’Equipe, the striker name checked De Zerbi, Greenwood, and Rabiot as being deserving of greater recognition for their efforts.

Marseille overcame a poor run of form in March, to win four of their last five games in Ligue 1, ultimately finishing in second behind PSG.

Greenwood finished as the joint top scorer in the league alongside Ballon d’Or favourite Ousmane Dembélé, who was recognised as player of the year by the UNFP. The nominees were announced in April, after les Olympiens had lost five of their last seven games.

Mason Greenwood during the Ligue 1 football match between Stade de Reims and Olympique de Marseille (OM) at Stade Auguste Delaune on March 29, 2025 in Reims, France. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)

Speaking on the this, Gouiri said of De Zerbi: “He’s a great coach. It’s a scandal that he wasn’t even nominated for the UNFP trophies. Everyone thinks it’s normal that he came second with this squad, but it’s his first season in Ligue 1, he didn’t know the Championship, he has a new team. What he’s doing is great.”

On Greenwood, the Algerian striker commented: “It’s the same, a scandal. He’s the top scorer in Ligue 1 (tied with Ousmane Dembélé). He’s a world-class striker. Playing alongside him is a pleasure. He didn’t even need time to adapt, he can play with both feet.”

Finally, on Rabiot, Gouiri said: “It’s a triple scandal in fact. How can we not put him in? But the best answer was given on the pitch. Adrien Rabiot is one of the best midfielders in Ligue 1 and he doesn’t need a trophy or a top team to prove it.

“The only explanation is that at the time of the votes, we were a little less good.”

The UNFP awards are awarded based on the votes of the players in France’s top division. Nine of the 11 players named in the team of the season were PSG players.

Just Lucas Chevalier of Lille and Rayan Cherki of Lyon breaking into the team. Luis Enrique was voted coach of the year.