FRANCE: Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) secured an unprecedented 11th French league championship after drawing 1-1 against Strasbourg on Saturday, pulling four points ahead of Lens with one game remaining. In the 59th minute, PSG took the lead with a goal assisted by Kylian Mbappe and scored by World Cup winner Lionel Messi. Strasbourg’s Kevin Gameiro later tied the score in the 79th minute.
Messi’s goal in the match broke Cristiano Ronaldo’s scoring record for the top five leagues in Europe, bringing his tally to 496 league goals. Lens secured a second-place finish, earning automatic Champions League qualifying.
Defending champions PSG surpassed Saint-Etienne, a former French dynasty that won its tenth championship in 1981 but was demoted to the second division the previous season.
Coach Christophe Galtier credited the players for their victory, acknowledging that being French champions is a significant achievement. He expressed personal appreciation for the team’s accomplishment.
When asked about his future, Galtier noted the disparity between media speculation and the actual situation, emphasizing that he had been following the discussions closely.
Paris Saint-Germain has won nine of their 11 championships since Qatari investors QSI took over 12 years ago. Nasser al-Khelafi, the president of PSG since 2011, stated that this 11th French league triumph is the result of their relentless efforts over the last 12 years.
The championship will be celebrated at Parc des Princes the following Saturday when PSG hosts Clermont, expected to be Messi’s final match for PSG. Messi will depart PSG when his contract expires this summer, with interest from Saudi Arabian clubs, Inter Miami, and Barcelona.
Despite criticism from some PSG supporters regarding a decline in form, his goal in the World Cup final brought joy to the crowd and marked his 43rd major championship.
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