Neymar, Cavani & the Ligue 1 Team of the Season

Montpellier will finish the season with the second best defensive record behind Paris Saint-Germain, and goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte is a major reason for their solidarity at the back.

He has played every minute of league football for his club and has saved 73% of the shots that have come his way - a vital contribution given that only two teams have scored fewer goals than the 34 that the European challengers have mustered this term. 

Signed from Juventus last summer to lend experience to PSG both on the field and off it, the 35-year-old Brazilian has perhaps not quite lived up to his billing, but he has still impressed at right-back.

After a somewhat unconvincing start to the season, which saw Thomas Meunier challenge him for a starting berth, Alves has re-established himself as first pick, scoring once, setting up six and helping Unai Emery’s side to the best defensive record in the league.

Marquinhos completed his graduation from promising centre-back to world-class performer this season, turning in countless displays of the highest level to potentially eclipse Thiago Silva in the heart of the PSG defence.

The 23-year-old has all the attributes to become the finest in his position in the world and took another step towards that goal with a very consistent campaign. His partnership with fellow youngster Presnel Kimpembe holds great promise for the future.

Thiago Silva has admitted that he will leave PSG when his contract is up in 2020, but the 33-year-old Brazil international defender remains a force to be reckoned with in Ligue 1.

On the few occasions when PSG have been rocked this season, he has been the man to lead them out of trouble, notably turning in a superb display against Guingamp, when he held the rearguard together when it threatened to disintegrate around him.

Perhaps past the very peak of his powers, but still a very fine defender indeed.

If Montpellier narrowly miss out on European qualification this season, they could pin some of the reasoning on the absence of left wing-back Jerome Roussillon, who missed the last six matches due to injury.

Stationed on the left of a back five, the 25-year-old former Sochaux youth academy graduate was a key defender for his side, but his contribution going forward was perhaps even more important. In a team that lacked imagination and scoring power, his three goals and three assists were precious.

Luiz Gustavo’s move from Wolfsburg to Marseille last summer was greeted with some scepticism, yet critics have rapidly been shut up by the Brazilian’s outstanding form this season.

He has been the lynchpin of the OM side that has reached the Europa League final and is pushing for a top-three finish in the league, showing not only his technical qualities but his experience too. Has looked equally at home at centre-back in times of crisis, while from the midfield he has chipped in five Ligue 1 goals.

Captured by Lyon on loan from promoted Amiens last summer, Ndombele has been perhaps the revelation of the season in Ligue 1.

The energetic midfielder has dovetailed beautifully with those around him in Lyon’s engine room, which has laid the foundation for some quite brilliant offensive displays. Certainly, Ndombele is not a player to gain headlines for his goals or assists, but his overall contribution cannot be underestimated.

When Florian Thauvin moved back to France after an unsuccessful spell at Newcastle, there was a sense that he had missed his opportunity to get to the very top of the game.

Now 25, Thauvin has matured and has started to develop into the player that many hoped he could become. This has been his finest season to date, with his figures stacking up impressively next to anyone else in the league, with 20 goals and 10 assists.

A serious knee injury threatened to derail Nabil Fekir’s career, yet the Lyon playmaker has roared back arguably stronger than ever. 

He may not possess the burst of pace that he once had, but in a role just behind the forwards he has made his technical qualities shine this term. Has shown an eye for the spectacular in scoring 17 times, while he has laid on six more.

In a devastating Lyon attack, he is the crown jewel.

It was almost inevitable when Neymar signed for PSG last summer for €222m (£200m/$272m) that he would be involved in this side, and though he has been laid up for the best part of three months he has still made the XI.

When fit, the 26-year-old was a class above those around him, often showing why he is considered the heir to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. 

He has yet to fully integrate into the squad, however, and PSG expect even more from their star man next term after 19 goals and 13 decisive passes this time around.

Once again Edinson Cavani will finish as Ligue 1’s top scorer, having netted 28 times so far in the league this season – eight times more than anyone else in the division heading into the final fortnight of matches.

He remains one of the darlings of Parc des Princes due to his outstanding work ethic, commitment to the club and, of course, his scoring power. He has been accused of missing big chances at big moments in the past, but that was not so evident this term.