The European club season is practically over, with only the UEFA Champions League final still upon us in the 2022-23 calendar. All top five leagues in the Old Continent have come to an end, with Paris Saint-Germain winning the Ligue 1 title for the second straight year.
The French league has given a lot to talk about throughout the year, with many players bursting into the scene. Renowned outlet L’Equipe set up the best team of the season, with Lille left-back Ismaily as the only Brazilian who made the cut.
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Ismaily is the only Brazilian in L’Equipe’s best team of Ligue 1 season
The 33-year-old joined the French team in a free transfer last year after spending nine seasons at Shakhtar Donetsk, and it didn’t take him long to make an impact. Even if he’s not getting any younger, Ismaily was a key contributor in Lille’s fifth-place finish, which secured them a place in next season’s UEFA Conference League.
With two goals and two assists in 23 appearances, the veteran left-back caught the eye of the football community in France. L’Equipe rewarded his great campaign by including him in the Ligue 1 team of the season, which includes the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi but overlooks Marquinhos, Neymar and other Brazilians.
“It’s always special to be selected for a team of the season, even more for a competition like the French league, which is one of the strongest in the world. I’m glad I played good football and was recognized. I had already entered the team of the season when I played in Ukraine, and in my first year in France to achieve this, it is very good,” he told Ge.