Thauvin Named Ligue 1 Player of the Month, Monaco Responds with Sarcasm
Lens winger Florian Thauvin has been named the Ligue 1 Player of the Month for March by the National Union of Professional Footballers (UNFP) for a third time this season. The French international, who scored two goals and provided two assists in March, beat out competition from AS Monaco's Maghnes Akliouche and Folarin Balogun for the award.
In a move that has added a layer of intrigue to the announcement, AS Monaco's official social media account responded to the news with a sarcastic post. The club's official X (formerly Twitter) account quote-tweeted the UNFP's announcement with the comment, "On a dû louper quelques épisodes" ("We must have missed a few episodes"). The post included a 30-second video montage highlighting the performances of Akliouche and Balogun, suggesting one of their own players was more deserving.
Thauvin, 31, has been in resurgent form for RC Lens this season, contributing 5 goals and 7 assists in Ligue 1. His performances in March, which included a goal and an assist in a 2-1 win over Le Havre and a goal and an assist in a 3-1 victory over Clermont, were deemed decisive by the voters. This marks the third time this season the former Marseille and Marseille man has won the monthly award, a testament to his consistent influence for Franck Haise's side.
Monaco's public, pointed reaction highlights the tight nature of the Ligue 1 awards race and the perceived value of the monthly prize. Akliouche, a 22-year-old French youth international, has been a breakout star for Monaco, while Balogun, on loan from Arsenal, has been a consistent goal threat. The club's social media post, while lighthearted, underscores the competitive nature of the league and the high regard in which Monaco holds its young attacking talents.
Thauvin's award and the subsequent online reaction highlight the individual and team rivalries that fuel the competitive spirit in Ligue 1. The former World Cup winner's return to form has been a significant factor in Lens's push for European qualification, while Monaco continues its own push for a Champions League spot. The public exchange, while light-hearted, sets the stage for an intriguing on-field battle when the two clubs meet again, with Thauvin's individual accolade adding a personal edge to the competition.
