It was already all but wrapped up for several weeks now, but a draw away at Strasbourg has mathematically confirmed it – Paris Saint-Germain have retained their title and are the champions of France for a record 11th time. Their closest challengers, Lens, now sit four points adrift with one matchday to go.
Despite an emphatic, unbeaten start to the campaign, PSG’s post-World Cup form had placed the title defence in jeopardy. Amid a tumultuous run of form at the turn of the year – which also saw Christophe Galtier’s men face early exits in the Coupe de France and the Champions League – Lens and Marseille looked set to push the holders all the way.
Nevertheless, PSG bounced back in the final straight – winning six of their last seven games – led by top scorer Kylian Mbappé, on 28 goals, and the departing Lionel Messi. The Argentine, who notched his 16 goal of the season in Alsace to add to his 16 assists, leaves France as a double Ligue 1 winner. Despite missing half of the season after undergoing ankle surgery, Neymar finishes as the team’s third-highest goalscorer this season with 13 strikes.
PSG’s ninth title in 12 years under Qatari ownership sees them overtake Saint-Étienne’s ten – all picked up between 1957 and 1981, when they were French football’s dominant side – having already moved ahead of Marseille, Monaco and Nantes, on 8 each.
