8 Stars Who Might Have Played Their Final Ligue 1 Games Following Competition's Cancellation
by Callum AltimasWhile other football leagues around Europe remain determined to get their season back underway, France decided it was best to end the Ligue 1 campaign after 28 games played.
With ten games left, the decision to cancel the league will have financial repercussions and has angered numerous teams throughout the league, like Lyon who have finished seventh and one point off fifth.
With many Ligue 1 clubs expected to take a financial hit due to the cancellation, contracts will expire in the summer and other players will leave on transfers.
So, with all that in mind, here are eight players who may have played their final games in Ligue 1.
Wissam Ben Yedder - Monaco
After three fruitful years at Sevilla, Ben Yedder returned to his native France in 2019 with Monaco and has enjoyed another prolific season.
However, Monaco have struggled and finished the league in a disappointing tenth place. Manchester United have been linked - though they have other more long-standing targets - and a move to Old Trafford and possible Champions League football could be too much for the Frenchman to turn down.
Malang Sarr - Nice
Having spent the entirety of his career with Nice, France Under-21 international Sarr rather shockingly announced in April that he wouldn't sign a new contract and would instead leave on a free transfer this summer.
The defender has impressed throughout the campaign for Patrick Vieira's side, showing the capability to fill in at left back as well as his more natural centre back role, and he even took the Nice captain's armband for a game, demonstrating his leadership qualities.
Thomas Meunier - Paris Saint-Germain
Despite several fairly consistent seasons in the French capital, Belgian Meunier is set to leave the club this summer once his current contract expires.
Meunier joined PSG in 2016 and has spent four seasons with the Ligue 1 champions. Interest in his services is high, with Manchester United and Tottenham eager to land the defender's services for next season.
Memphis Depay - Lyon
As previously mentioned, Lyon failed to qualify for any European football due to the season's cancellation. It's the first time in 23 years that Les Gones will not feature on the continent.
With the prospect of no European football at all next season, Memphis Depay could head for the exit with owner Jean-Michel Aulas telling Le Progres that Depay's agent has hinted the Dutch ace could leave in an attempt to play in Europe.
William Saliba - Saint-Étienne
Having signed for Arsenal last summer, Saliba was loaned back to Saint-Étienne for the current season and will return to the Emirates in the summer.
With Arsenal in desperate need of fresh faces at the back, Saliba is expected to feature regularly in the first team immediately, ruling out any return to Ligue 1 next season for the young centre back.
Edinson Cavani - PSG
Another PSG ace whose contract is set to expire this summer, Cavani has been instrumental to PSG's success over the last seven years, scoring a breathtaking 138 Ligue 1 goals in 200 appearances.
The Ligue 1 champions have decided against renewing the Uruguayan's contract, but with interest from numerous European sides, the 33-year old won't struggle to find a new club.
Axel Disasi - Reims
After a stellar season in the heart of Reims' defence - statistically the best defence in Europe's top five leagues - Disasi has caught the interest of numerous clubs throughout Europe, with Arsenal said to be leading the way.
The Gunners want to pair Disasi with fellow Frenchman Saliba, who arrives in the summer, and while Reims will want to keep ahold of him, the financial repercussions of Ligue 1 ending could force the club to sell Disasi in an effort to recuperate some of the money they're set to lose.
Gabriel Magalhães - Lille
Despite Lille enjoying a fairly successful season, finishing fourth - capturing European football next season - and having the second best defence in Ligue 1, the club may be forced to see young star Magalhães.
Magalhães' performances this year have caught the interest of numerous Premier League teams such as Arsenal, Chelsea and Everton, and Lille may be forced to let the 22-year old Brazilian as they are hit by financial woes due to Ligue 1's cancellation.