Dumornay becomes first Haitian to win Concacaf Player of the Year

CAP-HAÏTIEN — Haitian soccer star Melchie Daëlle ‘Corventina’ Dumornay continues to break new ground on the field. The Mirebalais native became the first Haitian to win the Concacaf Women’s Player of the Year award for the 2023-24 season, Concacaf announced on Oct. 24.

“I want to say thank you because it’s partly because of you girls I was able to perform so well,” Dumornay said to her Olympique Lyonnais teammates after learning of her win.

In the celebratory video posted by Concacaf and Lyon on social media, Lyon’s captain, Wendie Renard, presented Dumornay with the award—a golden, diamond-shaped trophy—as teammates cheered.

During a stellar 2023-24 season, Dumornay played three matches in Haiti’s women’s team’s first World Cup appearance. Despite Haiti’s three losses, Dumornay delivered exceptional performances, including a standout showing against powerhouse England in July 2023.

The midfielder also emerged as the joint-top scorer in the Gold Cup qualifiers, netting eight goals. Unfortunately, Haiti did not qualify for the tournament after a 1-0 loss to Puerto Rico in February 2024, a match Dumornay missed due to injury.

For Lyon, the 21-year-old scored nine goals in 20 matches, helping the club win two trophies. Dumornay was named Player of the Match after opening the scoring in a 2-0 Champions Trophy victory over Paris Saint-Germain.

Corvintina’s exceptional play in the Champions League earned her the Young Player of the Season title. She shined in the semifinals, winning Player of the Match honors in both legs against Paris, finishing with two goals and three assists in five tournament games. However, Lyon ultimately fell to FC Barcelona, 2-0, in the final.

Dumornay is only the second Caribbean player to win the award, following Jamaican Khadija Shaw’s win last year. Before Shaw, American players dominated the title for seven consecutive years.

Concacaf awarded Dumornay the title through a vote involving 41 head coaches, nine captains, and media members from Concacaf teams, as well as fan participation. The most popular player among fans received four votes, the second two votes, and the third three votes.

Concacaf President Victor Montagliani praised Dumornay’s contributions, stating that her tremendous skill and determination have made her an inspiration for people in Haiti and across the Concacaf region.

“We have seen her tremendous rise in our confederation with her incredible skill and determination,” Montagliani said. 

“She is doing great things for her club in France and is an inspiration for people in Haiti and all of the Concacaf region.”

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