Lionel Messi led Paris Saint-Germain to a second consecutive Ligue 1 championship, surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal tally in Europe’s top five leagues.
His record-breaking 496th strike, assisted by Kylian Mbappe, sealed the title for PSG in a 1-1 draw against Strasbourg on Saturday. With this achievement, Messi surpassed Ronaldo’s 495 goals and moved him to second place. Despite Kevin Gameiro’s equalizer for Strasbourg, PSG needed only to avoid defeat to retain their Ligue 1 crown at the Stade de la Minau.
The victory marks Messi’s second French title, having previously won it in his first season with Paris Saint-Germain. However, this is likely to be his last, as the 35-year-old Argentine maestro is set to leave the Parc des Princes this summer when his two-year contract expires. Their farewell home match is next Saturday against Clermont Foot.
While there is speculation about a romantic return to Barcelona, Messi is reportedly considering a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia, where his long-time rival Ronaldo has been playing for Al-Nasr since January. Rivals Al Hilal are desperate to secure Messi’s signature when his contract with PSG expires next month.
Despite the uncertainty, Barcelona remain hopeful of reuniting with Messi, with president John Laporta confirming ongoing talks following Barcelona’s recent La Liga victory. Laporta emphasized Messi’s strong connection to the club, saying Barcelona is his home despite the financial attraction in Saudi Arabia. He asserted that Barcelona has the ability to compete with any other destination.
Laporta, who approved Messi’s emotional departure in 2021, acknowledged Messi as the best player in the world and a desirable asset to any team, expressing his newfound relationship with the legendary player.
Messi’s impending departure from PSG has caused some discontent among fans, leading to recent booing incidents. Laporta admitted to the incidents but vowed not to bother Messi at the time. He reiterated the close relationship between Messi and Barcelona, confirming the club’s ability to compete against Saudi Arabia and other interested parties.
Barcelona head coach Xavi expressed his desire for Messi to return, highlighting their friendship and ongoing talks. However, he stressed the need to take a cautious approach to ensure the best outcome for Messi, the club and the team. Xavi likened the potential reunion to the famous “last dance” scenario involving Michael Jordan, which sparked excitement among fans.
