UNFP: What happened to them?

While waiting for this evening’s ceremony (Sunday 11 May), we invite you to see what Ligue 1’s best hopes have become since 2006. This article continues the @MeteoFootMaps (X) thread.

Franck Ribéry – Olympique Marseille (2005/06)

Author of a brilliant season with crazy, Ribery stands out for his percussion, his creativity and his temperament. He is one of the architects of the good Marseille course.

Transferred to Bayern Munich in 2007 he became a legend there: 9 championships, 1 Champions League (2013) and a management role for over a decade.

Ribery he retired in 2022 after a final freelance stint at Salernitana. He remains involved in football, notably in an advisory role at the club.

Samir Nasri – Olympique Marseille (2006/07)

Nasri he is the strong man of crazy at just 19 years old. His vision of the game and his refined technique attract the biggest clubs.

It joins ArsenalThen Manchester Citywinning the Premier League. However, his passes to Seville, Antalyaspor et Anderlecht Don’t leave the same memory.

Retired in 2021, Nasri he occasionally serves as a television consultant. His talent was never questioned, but his career was considered inconsistent.

Hatem Ben Arfa – Olympique Lyonnais (2007/08)

Revealed to Lyon, Ben Arfa he’s already a dribbling genius. He scores decisive goals and impresses with his technique.

Marseille, Newcastle, Nice…Its peaks are spectacular (particularly in Nice in 2015-2016), but has often struggled to establish itself over time. Too irregular, despite a long career.

Free from 2022, he has not officially announced his retirement. His future seems to be taking shape away from the pitch.

Eden Hazard – LOSC (2008/09 and 2009/10)

At 6pm, Danger he lights up Lille with his dribbling, his liveliness and his shots. He became an indisputable starter at a very young age. In 2010 he had an even more impressive season, capped by a Cup-Championship double in 2011. He left League 1 already being a superstar.

Double winner (2009, 2010), leaves for Chelsea in 2012. There he became a world star. His transfer to real Madrid in 2019 it was a failure, especially due to injuries.

Danger officially retired in 2023, at just 32 years old. Despite a difficult ending, he remains one of the greatest Belgian talents in history.

Mamadou Sakho – Paris Saint-Germain (2010/11)

At 5pm, Sakho he is already captain of PSG. Powerful central defender, he impresses with his maturity and consistency.

After the title UNFPhe goes Paris in 2013 for Liverpool. Despite some good spells, it failed to establish itself in the long term. It bounces Crystal Palaceso a Montpellier.

Sakho is currently finishing his career at Torpedo Kutaisi (Georgia).

Younes Belhanda – Montpellier HSC (2011/12)

Belhanda he is having an exceptional season with Montpellier. Technical and unpredictable attacking midfielder, he is one of the great architects of the historic French champion title MHSC. Despite this reward UNFPwon’t really confirm later.

In 2013 he joined the Dynamo Kiev. Next, continue the experiments: Schalke, Nice, Galatasaray… He won several trophies in Türkiye, including two world titles. Super alloy.

Belhanda now he plays in Qatar, Al Shamal SC. Even if he did not reach the expected European goals, he had a long and experienced career.

Florian Thauvin – SC Bastia (2012/13)

At 20 years old, Thauvin had a remarkable season with Bastia. It stands out for its liveliness and its ability to make a difference. His performances earned him the UNFP Best Hope Trophy of the 2012-2013 season.

After a brief signing with Lille, Thauvin participated Marseille Olympics in 2013. There he experiences ups and downs, with a period on loan Newcastle United. Return to Marseillehe became a key element of the team, notably participating in the final of European League in 2018. In 2021 try the adventure in Mexico with the UANL Tigersbefore returning to Europe in 2023 to evolve Udinese In Serie A.

At 32 years old, Thauvin it always evolves with Udinese In Serie A. He continues to use his experience and technique in the Italian championship.

Marco Verratti – Paris Saint-Germain (2013/14)

Arrived from Italy at just 19 years old, Verratti is imposed directly PSG. His elegance and his vision of the game make him a player apart.

More than 10 years to go Parisbecoming a club manager. He won 9 world titles, but never reached the expected European heights.

Transferred to Al-Arabi au Qatar in 2023, Verratti he walked away from European football. However, he remains a respected and followed player.

Nabil Fékir – Olympique Lyonnais (2014/15)

At 9pm, Fekir is the new jewel of lol. Technical, explosive and decisive, he forms an impressive duo with him Lacazette.

A serious injury in 2015 slowed his progress. Stay solid Lyon before signing Betis Seville. There he becomes manager, despite another serious injury in 2023.

Fékir is playing now Al Jazeera in the United Arab Emirates.

Ousmane Dembélé – Paris Saint-Germain (2015/16)

At 6pm, Dembélé’s explodes with Rennes. He impresses with his speed and technique.

Transferred to Borussia Dortmundshines Bundesliga. In 2017 he joined the FC Barcelona for 135 million euros. Despite recurring injuries, he displays his talent intermittently.

In 2023, Dembélé’s sign to Paris Saint Germain. He finds a certain regularity there and remains a key element of the Parisian attack. Indeed, he is one of the main players in the club’s success this season.

Kylian Mbappé – AS Monaco / Paris Saint-Germain (2016/17; 2017/18; 2018/19)

Mbappe revealed himself during the 2016-2017 season with Monk. He helped his team win the French champion title. For its first full season at PSGMbappé confirms himself as a prodigy. He then had an outstanding season in Ligue 1. He was elected Best player et The best hopethe first in the history of the UNFP Trophies. In 2024, Mbappe leave him PSG for the real Madrid. He continues to play at the highest level and remains an important figure in world football.

Besides, we’re talking about his successor here!

Aurélien Tchouaméni – AS Monaco (2020/21)

Ultra complete recovery medium, Tchouameni dominates at the heart of the Monegasque game. He impresses with his volume of play, his reading and his impact.

In 2022 he signed with real Madrid for approximately 80 million euros. Despite tough competition, he quickly established himself in the Merengue midfield.

At 25 years old, Tchouameni is the regular owner of real Madrid. He also became a permanent member of the French team.

William Saliba – Olympique Marseille (2021/22)

Loan from Arsenal, Through explodes a crazy. Elegant, powerful, calm on the ball, he has become a pillar of Marseille’s defence.

Return to Arsenal in 2022 he immediately established himself as a starter. He contributes strongly to the relaunch of the London club.

At 24 years old he is one of the best defenders around Premier League. He is also well integrated into the French team.

Nuno Mendes – Paris Saint-Germain (2022/23)

Very offensive left side, Mendes combines speed, power and quality of cross. It shines in the left corridor of the PSG. Which gives him his UNFP Trophy best hope.

Despite a series of injuries, he remains a potential starter PSG when he is in good shape. His future depends above all on his physical regularity.

Mendes he is still a player of the PSG. He alternates between camp and infirmary, but maintains a high rating in Europe.

Warren Zaire-Emery – Paris Saint-Germain (2023/24)

At just 18 years old, Zaire-Emery establishes himself as the undisputed starter in PSG. His game intelligence, his ability to break lines with the ball and his maturity are impressive.

His rapid progress earned him a place in the French team. Become the youngest winner of the UNFP Trophy of the best hope.

Always at PSG, Zaire-Emery is considered one of the greatest hopes of French football.

Since 2006, the UNFP Best Hope Trophy has often highlighted talents with a great future. In some cases the promises were kept Mbappe, Tchouameni, Zaire-Emery – become international and global stars. Others, like Belhanda OR Sakhothey have experienced more irregular trajectories, sometimes slowed down by career choices or injuries.

But one thing is clear: this trophy remains an excellent indicator. To be crowned “best hope”. League 1it is often on the launch pad.