PSG win historic 11th French title as Messi breaks Ronaldo’s record
Messi’s strike, a fine finish from Mbappe’s pass, is his 496th in Europe’s top five leagues — taking him past Ronaldo’s mark of 495. It is his 32nd for PSG, and could be his last as he is expected to leave this summer
Paris Saint-germain clinched a French record 11th league title on Saturday as Lionel Messi scored in a 1-1 draw away at Strasbourg.
Messi’s opener was cancelled out by a Kevin Gameiro equaliser, but the result gave PSG an unassailable four-point lead over second-placed Lens with one match of the season remaining.
PSG moved ahead of the previous record of 10 titles set by Saint-etienne in 1981 and which they equalled a year ago under former coach Mauricio Pochetino.
It was Messi’s 496th career league goal in Europe, breaking Cristiano Ronaldo’s scoring record for Europe’s top five leagues
It is PSG’S ninth title in the last 11 seasons, a period in which they have dominated French football under Qatari ownership.
PSG started the penultimate weekend of the season six points clear of nearest rivals Lens with just six points to play for, and with a far beter goal difference.
A Lens slip-up would have seen the capital side crowned champions with a game to spare even in defeat, but in the end they needed the draw as their challengers eased to a 3-0 win over already-relegated Ajaccio.
Kylian Mbappe set up Messi to put PSG ahead just before the hour with his 16th Ligue 1 goal this season.
Gameiro equalised with 11 minutes let, bundling in the rebound ater Gianluigi Donnarumma had saved from Morgan Sanson. The draw ultimately suited both teams as it enabled Strasbourg to guarantee their top-flight survival. PSG started the season superbly and did not lose a game in any competition before the World Cup.
However, they lost six of their first 17 league games in 2023 and were eliminated from the Champions League in the last 16 by Bayern Munich and in the French Cup at the same stage.
Those results increased speculation that Galtier — who also won the title with Lille two years ago — will be replaced in the close season.
Lens secured second place and a ticket for next season’s Champions League group stage with their win against Ajaccio, which was sealed by first-half goals from Deiver Machado, Adrien Thomasson and Lois Openda.
Belgian striker Openda neted a penalty for his 20th goal in Ligue 1 this season.
Marseille, who lost 2-1 at home to Brest, must therefore setle for third place and will enter the Champions League in the third qualifying round.
Beneath them, Lille are in pole position to qualify for the Europa League ater coming from behind to beat Nantes 2-1 and move up to fourth position. Quentin Merlin put relegationthreatened Nantes in front in the far north, but two second-half penalties from Canada’s Jonathan David gave Lille the victory.
Lille are now a point above both Rennes and Monaco, who met on Saturday, with the Britany side winning 2-0 thanks to second-half goals by Lovro Majer and Amine Gouiri. Rennes are fith, above Monaco on goal difference. Fith place goes into next season’s Europa Conference League while sixth will not qualify for Europe at all.
Lyon’s European hopes were effectively ended despite a 3-0 win over Reims in which Alexandre
Lacazete scored his 27th Ligue 1 goal this season, leaving him just one behind Mbappe, the division’s top marksman.
Nantes will go into the final weekend having to win to stand a chance of avoiding relegation as they sit 17th, two points behind Auxerre, who drew 1-1 at Toulouse.
GOALKEEPER RICO IN ‘SERIOUS’ CONDITION AFTER HORSE RIDING ACCIDENT: PSG back-up goalkeeper Sergio Rico is in “serious” condition ater a horse-riding accident, the French club confirmed on Sunday.
“He is in serious condition,” said a PSG spokesperson, while Spanish newspaper Marca report he is “stable”.
Rico was taken by helicopter to Seville’s Virgen del Rocio hospital, where he was placed on life support, according to local TV channel Canal Sur, citing medical sources.
“Lots of strength and a speedy recovery,” wrote Sevilla, whom he played for previously, on Twiter.