The 2022/23 Ligue 1 season is officially in the books with PSG holding on as champions, though Lens made it close in the end. And if you ask people in the know, such as Reims’ manager Will Still, they’ll tell you that Lens was actually the best team in the league. Certainly, they were the most impressive, consistent, and pleasurable to watch.
So it’s no surprise then that Lens and another exciting Ligue 1 side, Rennes, were the only ones with multiple representatives in this 2022/23 Ligue 1 Team of the Season. Reims were also an exciting team to watch, but many of their stars – such as Yehvann Diouf, Folarin Balogun, and Junya Ito – just missed out.
Let’s address the big surprise here first. PSG not having anyone involved. Nuno Mendes, Lionel Messi, and Kylian Mbappé all had exceptional seasons. Mbappé, though, was edged out by Alexandre Lacazette’s incredible – even historic – carry job of Lyon. Mendes was in the same situation, just beaten out by Neto Borges’ heroics for surprise side Clermont Foot. Finally, Messi didn’t make it because he didn’t play enough games to be considered on the right wing, and I could not justify using a “playmaker” in this formation to take out any of the three center midfielders who had exceptional seasons.
That’s how it is. There are tough cuts to be made, and if they were to players who aren’t superstars like Messi and Mbappé, nobody would bat an eye. And that’s why it’s so important to spread the love when honoring the top players of a season.
GK Brice Samba, Lens: We begin with Brice Samba, who just edged out Yehvann Diouf in goal. Samba had an exceptional season as the bedrock of this great Lens team, making countless wonderful saves and consistently playing at the highest level each week.
Samba finished the season with a league-high save percentage of 80. He was arguably the second-best goalkeeper in European football this season after LaLiga Team of the Season standout Marc-André ter Stegen. Brice Samba is a name every football fan should know.
LB Neto Borges, Clermont Foot: Nuno Mendes is one of the best left backs in the world, so it takes a special season for someone to usurp him at left back. Neto Borges was sensational for Clermont Foot, as they stayed well safe of relegation. Left backs can make a huge difference going forward and in defense for an underdog side, and that’s exactly what Borges did.
The underrated Brazilian averaged 3.5 combined tackles and interceptions per game with 2.8 combined dribbles completed and fouls drawn per match. Borges isn’t a household name by any means; most fans of European football, even diehard ones, have never heard of him. But hopefully, he gets the recognition he’s earned for an exceptional season.
CB Andrei Girotto, Nantes: Another underrated Brazilian joins Borges in the back four. Nantes barely escaped relegation, and they can partially thank Andrei Girotto for holding down an awful and extremely disappointing defense for the Canaries.
Girotto averaged 3.4 tackles, 2.0 interceptions, and 4.8 clearances. He was absolutely everywhere, doing the job of multiple Nantes players. Without him, this team would have 100 percent been relegated.
CB Kevin Danso, Lens: One of the best ball-playing center backs in European football, Kevin Danso pretty clearly belongs in this Team of the Season. Danso should be headed for a major move in this or the next summer transfer window, so keep a close eye on rumors pertaining to his name.
RB Przemysław Frankowski, Lens: The exciting Polish wide man is more of a right midfielder than a right back, though he played sufficient matches at the latter position to earn a spot in the Ligue 1 Team of the Season.
Frankowski works hard defensively and is the best right-sided player at creating chances. He was irresistible at times and very important to Lens, averaging nearly two key passes per game with eight total goal contributions. At 28 years old, Frankwoski is in the prime of his career.
CM Enzo Le Fée, Lorient: If Kevin Danso is headed for a big move soon, then Enzo Le Fée is basically 100 percent going to get a big transfer this summer after helping Lorient push for European football in the first half of the season.
Le Fée should be in the running for Ligue 1 Player of the Season. His numbers are truly staggering. At just 23 years old, he averaged 3.1 tackles per game, 1.9 key passes per match, and a combined 3.7 dribbles completed and fouls drawn per match. Borussia Dortmund should be all over Le Fée as part of a midfield package to replace Jude Bellingham.
CM Branco van den Boomen, Toulouse: One of the surprises of the 2022/23 Ligue 1 season, Branco van den Boomen picked up where he left off from the second division, showing that excellence in the top flight isn’t an insurmountable barrier for the classiest of players.
And goodness, was van den Boomen class. Toulouse were at no threat of relegation and even won the Coup de France in dominant fashion over Nantes. Van den Boomen’s exceptional playmaking from deep was a major highlight of the season for the Violets.
CM Seko Fofana, Lens: Another year, another award. Seko Fofana is one of the best midfielders in European football, but it seems like he is only now starting to get a little more recognition for his all-around class.
The beating heart of this great Lens side, Fofana is the definition of a box-to-box star. He wins possession, creates chances, progresses the ball, and offers a scary goal-scoring threat with his thunderous efforts from beyond the box and brilliantly timed runs. Fofana is a special player, and you can see just how much he means to Lens whenever you watch this team.
LW Martin Terrier, Rennes: Martin Terrier isn’t your average left winger. He is more of a creator and is one of the most exciting players in European football as a result of his ability to score and create chances from absolutely nothing. If you want to watch a highlight reel of exceptional technical class, check out Terrier’s work these past couple of seasons.
The underlying statistics are impressive, too. Terrier scored nine goals with four assists, averaging 1.6 key passes and 1.5 fouls drawn per game. He even showed up defensively with 2.5 combined tackles and interceptions per game as an attacking player. At 26 years of age, Terrier is primed for an even bigger 2023/24 season.
ST Alexandre Lacazette, Lyon: The Ligue 1 Player of the Season. Lyon would have been an abject disaster without Alexandre Lacazette, who returned to his beloved club and played his heart out, fighting at the top of the Ligue 1 scoring charts while doing literally everything as an all-around striker.
This was a special, special season from Lacazette. The veteran striker banged home 27 goals with 5 assists, averaging 2.7 combined dribbles completed and fouls drawn per match. With how many chances he created, he should have honestly had even more than the five assists, but let’s just say, he wasn’t playing for the strongest Lyon side we’ve seen over the years.
RW Benjamin Bourigeaud, Rennes: Benjamin Bourigeaud is an absolute joy to watch and had to be in this Ligue 1 Team of the Season. The Rennes playmaker might have the best set-piece deliveries in Europe, offering crosses and goals galore for a can’t-miss Rennes attack.
This past season, Bourigeaud had 7 goals and 10 assists, averaging 2.6 key passes per game with even 2.0 combined tackles and interceptions per match. Bourigeaud is one of the best playmakers in European football right now. There may be bigger names, but don’t let the unequal coverage of Ligue 1 fool you. Bourigeaud is a star.
