Ousmane Dembélé has singled out Lyon’s Rayan Cherki as the most challenging opponent he faced during the 2024–25 Ligue 1 season, offering high praise for the 20-year-old playmaker during the prestigious UNFP Trophies ceremony held on Sunday, May 11.
“Since I can’t name my teammates, I’ll say Rayan Cherki,” the Paris Saint-Germain winger stated. “Why? For his dribbling, what he does on the pitch. And above all, what he does is always effective.”
Dembélé’s words mark a notable endorsement for Cherki, whose performances this season earned him a place in the Ligue 1 Team of the Year—one of only two non-PSG players in the lineup, joining nine Parisians in the elite selection.
Cherki’s flair, composure, and vision have made him one of the league’s most captivating young talents, and his standout displays have not gone unnoticed by his peers.
His inclusion in the Team of the Season caps off a campaign in which he consistently dazzled, combining individual brilliance with tactical discipline under Olympique Lyonnais’ setup.
Speaking at the ceremony, Cherki responded with warm admiration for his Parisian counterparts, hinting at his personal connections within the PSG camp—and a potential openness to a move.
“Oh yes, I know them all. Ousmane is a good friend, Bradley too,” he said. “So obviously, when you have good affinities on the pitch, it’s also felt off it.”
Cherki’s comments reignited speculation about a future transfer to the French champions, after a proposed move to PSG last summer fell through.
Lyon’s owner, John Textor, previously addressed the failed transfer, revealing that a deal had come close to completion.
“He wanted to go to PSG. I don’t like selling to PSG, but I agreed out of respect for his wishes,” Textor said in September. “In the end, it didn’t happen. He seemed close to signing. I don’t really know what the situation was with Dortmund. But ultimately, it’s his right to change his mind.”
While Cherki’s future remains uncertain, his stock has never been higher.
As for Dembélé, the PSG forward concluded the night with personal accolades, having been named Ligue 1’s Player of the Season—taking over the mantle from Kylian Mbappé and underscoring his influence in yet another dominant campaign for the capital side.
