Football
PSG clinch record-breaking 11th Ligue 1 title
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) clinched a record-breaking 11th Ligue 1 title with one game to spare when they drew 1-1 at Racing Strasbourg on Saturday.
The result put them on 85 points, four ahead of RC Lens, who secured second place with a 3-0 home victory against AC Ajaccio.
Messi’s strike, a fine finish from Kylian Mbappe’s pass, is his 496th in Europe’s top five leagues, taking him past Cristiano Ronaldo’s mark of 495.
It is his 32nd for Paris Saint-Germain and could be his last, as he is expected to leave this summer.
Kevin Gameiro bundled in an equalizer, but PSG only needed a point.
The full-time celebrations were muted by PSG’s superior goal difference over second-placed Lens, meaning they had the title practically secured last week.
The final minutes were played at a slow pace, with both sides happy with a point; Strasbourg are safe from relegation now.
Christophe Galtier’s future remains in doubt despite helping PSG win their ninth title in the past 11 years.
He took charge at the start of the season, having led Lille to the 2020–21 title, but their Champions League last-16 exit to Bayern Munich was a major blow.
PSG moves past Marseille’s previous record of 10 French titles, three of which came before their rivals were formed in 1970.
Messi’s goal in the title-sealing game ensures his time at PSG will end more positively than expected at the start of May.
The former Barcelona player was suspended for two weeks after travelling to Saudi Arabia without Paris Saint-Germain’s permission. The club stepped up security at his home after fans chanted against him, and many did not expect him to play for Paris Saint-Germain again after that ban ended.
