Lionel Messi was on target as Paris Saint-Germain sealed their record 11th Ligue 1 title despite being held to a 1-1 draw in Strasbourg on Saturday.
Messi, who will leave PSG when his contract expires at the end of the season, broke the deadlock with his 16th goal of the season just before the hour mark at the Stade de la Meinau.
Strasbourg substitute Kevin Gameiro thwarted Christoph Galtier’s side with a 79th-minute equalizer but the point was enough for PSG to secure a successful defense of their Ligue 1 title with a game in hand.
Strasbourg’s top-flight status was also confirmed after Frederic Antonetti’s draw for the home side kept them six points ahead of 17th-placed Nantes, who failed to beat Lille.
PSG player ratings (3-5-2)
GK: Gianluigi Donnarumma – 7/10 – Kept PSG in the game with some stunning stops in the first half.
CB: Danilo Pereira – 5/10 – Looked a little ropey throughout, though his pinpoint pass led to Messi’s opener.
CB: Sergio Ramos – 5/10 – Thrown around by Diarra and Diallo in physical duels.
CB: El Chadaille Bitshiabu – 6/10 – Up for the fight physically but Gameiro was able to ghost in on his side to score the equaliser.
RM: Warren Zaire-Emery – 7/10 – Played with a maturity and fearlessness beyond his 17 years of age.
CM: Vitinha – 5/10 – Did not stand out in the midfield battle, again.
CM: Marco Verratti – 6/10 – Played at a lower intensity than usual but given the circumstances that was understandable.
CM: Renato Sanches – 6/10 – Made more inroads than compatriot Vitinha, but that wasn’t a particularly high bar to clear.
LM: Juan Bernat – 6/10 – Stretched play but like many of his teammates wasn’t outstanding in his efforts.
CF: Lionel Messi – 9/10 – Picked apart Strasbourg at will. Now the all-time record scorer in Europe’s top five leagues and he overtook Cristiano Ronaldo in style.
CF: Kylian Mbappe – 8/10 – Twisted and contorted himself to flee trailing Strasbourg’s legs. Major criticism is his finishing was a tad off but it didn’t really prove crucial.
Substitutes
Carlos Soler (84′ for Vitinha) – N/A
Manager
Christophe Galtier – 6/10 – PSG didn’t really need to win and they didn’t spare any effort that was otherwise needed.