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Paris Saint-Germain has clinched a French record 11th league title as Lionel Messi scored in a 1-1 draw away at Strasbourg and broke the scoring record for Europe’s top five leagues, but questions remain over the Argentinian’s future at the club.
Messi’s opener on Saturday was canceled out by a Kevin Gameiro equalizer, but the result gave PSG an unassailable four-point lead over second-placed Lens with one match of the season remaining, reports Al Jazeera.
PSG moved ahead of the previous record of 10 titles set by Saint-Etienne in 1981 and which they equaled a year ago under former coach Mauricio Pochettino.
It is PSG’s ninth title in the last 11 seasons, a period in which they have dominated French football under the ownership of Qatar Sports Investment.
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, they needed only the draw to be officially confirmed as champions 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 Ligue 1 goal this season.
It was also Messi’s 496th league goal in Europe and broke Cristiano Ronaldo’s scoring record for Europe’s top five leagues.
Ex-Paris striker Gameiro equalized with 11 minutes left, bundling in the rebound after Gianluigi Donnarumma had saved from Morgan Sanson.
The draw ultimately suited both teams as it enabled Strasbourg to guarantee their top-flight survival.
