Lionel Messi scored another record-breaking goal as Paris St-Germain won an unprecedented 11th Ligue 1 title with a 1-1 draw at Strasbourg.
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 PSG and could be his last as he is expected to leave this summer.
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The Parisians knew a point would be enough to secure top spot for the second successive season, so despite Lionel Messi’s strike being cancelled out late on by Kevin Gameiro, they duly picked up another title.
The hosts, who had won three of their last four home games, were hard to break down at the back and dangerous on the counter-attack, with Habib Diarra and Morgan Sanson both creating chances.
Renato Sanches meanwhile had a volley well saved by Matz Sels at the other end, but Strasbourg were creating the bulk of the openings, including Habib Diallo hitting the post from distance.
Opportunities remained few and far between after the break, until Messi opened the scoring on 59 minutes when he converted from Kylian Mbappe’s pass – with the goal breaking him out of a tie with Cristiano Ronaldo for the most goals in Europe’s top five leagues.
It took Strasbourg a little time to respond, but they equalised when substitute Gameiro bundled over the line against his former club with little over 10 minutes remaining.
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A point was all that the hosts needed to confirm their place in the top flight for next season, and they duly held on for the draw, much to the delight of a sell-out crowd at Stade de la Meinau.
Ronaldo misses out on Saudi League title
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Saudi Pro League team Al-Nassr must officially settle for second place after Al-Ittihad were crowned champions on Saturday evening.
Ronaldo’s team trail the new champions by five points with only one match left to play. Al-Nassr drew with Ettifaq 1-1, while Al-Ittihad confirmed their title win with a 3-0 win over Al Feiha.
The Portuguese was substituted midway through the must-win match against Ettifaq with physical discomfort.
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Having only joined the league in January, Ronaldo managed a creditable 14 goals but could not guide his new team to a first title in four years.
The Portuguese’s arrival was much-heralded and followed the rather abrupt end to his Manchester United career. Ronaldo’s second spell in Manchester ended after a public spat with manager Erik ten Hag.
Almost at the same moment that Ronaldo’s Saudi Pro League title dreams were crumbling, a little piece of his legacy in Europe went too.
Lionel Messi, Ronaldo’s eternal rival, overhauled his record for the most goals scored across Europe’s top five leagues with his 49th career league goal for PSG against Strasbourg.
Lionel Messi was also crowned champion of France as the draw with Strasbourg was enough to build an insurmountable lead over runners-up Lens with one match to play.
It completes a banner 12 months for Lionel Messi, who adds the French title to the World Cup and Finalissima titles he won with Argentina.
In yet another reverse for Ronaldo, French outlet Foot Mercato reported on Saturday that his desired appointment of Zinedine Zidane as new manager of Al-Nassr will not be going ahead. Despite a two-year €150M contract, Zidane has reportedly decided that the Saudi Pro League will not be the next step in his managerial career.
