Paris Saint-Germain celebrated their 11th Ligue 1 championship as Lionel Messi netted his 496th league goal in Europe and surpassed Cristiano Ronaldo’s record for the most goals in Europe’s top five leagues. However, the future of the Argentinian star at PSG remains uncertain.
Messi scored the opening goal in a 1-1 draw at Strasbourg on Saturday, but Kevin Gameiro equalized for the hosts late on. The result was enough for PSG to clinch the title with a four-point lead over Lens, who beat Ajaccio 3-0, with one game left.
PSG set a new French record with their 11th league title, surpassing Saint-Etienne’s 10 titles that they matched last season under former coach Mauricio Pochettino.
PSG have dominated French football since Qatar Sports Investment took over the club in 2011, winning nine of the last 11 titles.
PSG were six points clear of Lens at the start of the weekend and had a much better goal difference, so they only needed a point to seal the title.
Messi gave them the lead in the 59th minute with his 16th Ligue 1 goal this season after being set up by Kylian Mbappe.
It was also Messi’s 496th league goal in Europe, breaking Ronaldo’s record of 495 goals in Europe’s top five leagues.
Gameiro, a former PSG striker, leveled for Strasbourg in the 79th minute, tapping in the rebound after Gianluigi Donnarumma had parried Morgan Sanson’s shot.
The draw secured Strasbourg’s survival in Ligue 1 and did not spoil PSG’s title party.
Messi joined PSG on a free transfer from Barcelona in August after his contract with the Catalan club expired. He signed a two-year deal with an option for a third year, worth £25m per year after tax, plus bonuses.
He also won his first international trophy with Argentina in December, lifting the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
However, his future at PSG is still unclear as he has not yet agreed to extend his contract beyond 2023. He has been linked with moves to Inter Miami and Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia.
