Vincent Labrune, president of France’s Professional Football League (LFP), spoke to Radio France’s Sports Department at the 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony, where Paris Saint-Germain and France striker Ousmane Dembélé, 28, was crowned the winner.
Labrune: “It’s a powerful signal.”
“I’m very happy for Ousmane Dembélé. A talented, humble, spectacular player who lit up our league and Europe all season. It’s also a fine reward for his club, which shone at the highest level and reminded everyone that Ligue 1 is an ambitious, competitive league driven by excellence.
Having today the best player in the world in our Ligue 1 is a powerful signal. It reinforces the project we’ve been pursuing for several years, gives our championship unprecedented visibility, and fuels great ambitions for the future.”
Of course, this is an opportunity to highlight French football — the country that has produced the most Ballon d’Or winners since the award was created and continues to supply top players admired in the biggest leagues every year. The great challenge is keeping them and raising Ligue 1 to an even higher level.
It’s important to anchor the idea that the league is far from weak, despite some French “experts” portraying it as a collection of teams that produce little. In reality, there’s plenty of quality. But there’s also a lack of unity between the governing bodies and the clubs. We’ve grown used to minor media feuds instead of solidarity and efficiency.
Having the Ballon d’Or at PSG is great publicity, but it won’t work miracles on its own. Dialogue and effort are needed to truly move forward.
