PSG and Argentina forward Lionel Messi has become the joint-most decorated player in the history of football. He has equaled his former Barcelona teammate Dani Alves’ record. The Parisian club sealed their ninth title in 11 years following a 1-1 draw against Strasbourg on Saturday, with Messi netting his side’s goal in the first half, leaving them four points clear of second-placed Lens with a game remaining.
Messi achieved the feat after clinching his 43rd trophy for club and country in the form of Ligue 1 2022-23. By contrast, rival Cristiano Ronaldo has just 34 trophies to his name. The title win caps off a marvelous season for Messi, who dragged his country to World Cup glory in epic style back in December and has netted 21 goals in all competitions for PSG, nearly doubling his tally from the previous campaign.
Messi, who was booed by PSG ultras earlier this month after he missed training by traveling to Saudi Arabia without the club’s permission, is expected to leave the French capital this summer with his contract set to expire at the end of the season. To become the undisputed leader, Leo needs one more trophy but he’s unlikely to clinch it while in Paris as he’s tipped to leave the club at the end of the season.
Here is how fans reacted after Lionel Messi become the joint-most decorated player after Ligue 1 triumph
The Argentine’s strike against Strasbourg was his 496th career goal at the club level in Europe’s top five leagues, which makes the veteran the all-time top scorer. The 2022 FIFA World Cup winner has made a lot of personal history this season. Messi has five trophies with the Argentina national team, 35 with FC Barcelona and three with PSG.
The title will be celebrated next Saturday at Parc des Princes when PSG hosts Clermont in what could be Messi’s last game for PSG. He has not taken up the option for an extra year on the contract he signed two years ago. Messi has felt the ire of PSG fans at times this season after his form dipped following his return from Argentina’s victory at the World Cup but in the end, it was his goal that allowed the fans to celebrate.
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