Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) clinched a record 11th French 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. Messi’s strike, a fine finish from Kylian Mbappe’s pass, is his 496th goal in Europe’s top five leagues - taking him past Cristiano Ronaldo’s mark of 495 goals.
PSG moved ahead of the previous record of 10 titles set by Saint-Etienne in 1981 and which it equalled a year ago under former coach Mauricio Pochettino.
It is PSG’s ninth title in the last 11 seasons, a period in which it has 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 better goal difference.
In the end, it needed only the draw to be officially confirmed as champion with a game to spare, as Lens eased to a 3-0 win over already-relegated Ajaccio.
Kylian Mbappe set up Messi to put PSG ahead just before the hour mark with his 16th French League goal this season. (C.D)
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