Ligue 1

4Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Ligue 1

Fans boo as Messi’s final game for PSG ends in defeat

Kylian Mbappe, Neymar, Sergio Ramos, Lionel Messi, Marco Verratti and Presnel Kimpembe of Paris Saint-Germain pose for group picture with Ligue 1 trophy after the Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint-Germain and Clermont Foot at Parc des Princes on June 3, 2023 in Paris, France.Lionel Messi has ignored boos in his final game for Paris Saint-Germain [PSG] as the French league champion lost to Clermont 3-2. PSG supporters booed the football star on Saturday when the Parc des Princes announcer read his name on a warm evening. A few minutes later, Messi walked onto the field with a smile on his face, holding his three children’s hands before the team photo and kissing them on their foreheads before kickoff. “I would like to thank the club, the city of Paris and its people for these two year...

3Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Ligue 1

Veteran defender Sergio Ramos to leave Paris Saint-Germain

Sergio Ramos kicks the ball during a Paris Saint-Germain training session on May 25, 2023 in Paris, France.Sergio Ramos has confirmed he will leave Paris Saint-Germain. Real Madrid legend Sergio Ramos will follow Lionel Messi out of Paris Saint-Germain when his contract expires at the end of June. Ramos has spent the past two seasons at the Parc des Princes after joining from Real Madrid on a free transfer, but he stands to make his final appearance in Saturday’s match against Clermont Foot. The 37-year-old has won back-to-back Ligue 1 titles with PSG, scoring five goals in 57 appearances, although his form was often questioned and his departure is not seen as a surprise. “Wearing the Red and Blue shirt for the last two years has been a wonderful experience,” Ramos said in a statemen...

23May

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Ligue 1

Mbappe goals see PSG all but secure Ligue 1 title

Kylian Mbappe of PSG celebrates his second goal with Hugo Ekitike (left) during the Ligue 1 Uber Eats match between AJ Auxerre (AJA) and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at Stade de l'Abbe Deschamps on May 21, 2023 in Auxerre, France.Paris Saint-Germain all but secured the Ligue 1 title on Sunday as a Kylian Mbappe brace gave them a 2-1 win away to Auxerre that left the Qatar-owned club six points clear at the top of the table with two games remaining. PSG had hoped to officially confirm a second straight championship triumph, and a ninth in the last 11 seasons, but they needed closest rivals Lens to slip up earlier in the day. Lens won 3-1 at Lorient, and so PSG still require one point from their final two matches to secure a French record 11th title overall. However, a goal difference adv...

14May

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Ligue 1

Messi booed by PSG fans in win against Ajaccio

Lionel Messi of Paris Saint Germain walks in the field during the Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint-Germain and AC Ajaccio at Parc des Princes on May 13, 2023 in Paris, France.Lionel Messi was booed by some Paris St-Germain fans in his first match since being suspended for his unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia as the Ligue 1 leaders beat Ajaccio 5-0. Both sides ended the game with 10 men after Thomas Mangani aimed a punch at Achraf Hakimi, who retaliated. Fabian Ruiz and Hakimi struck in the first half for PSG. Mbappe scored twice at the start of the second half before Mohamed Youssouf’s own goal as Ajaccio were relegated. Ajaccio’s best chance came in the 67th minute when Mickael Barreto’s right-footed shot from outside the box just sailed over the bar. Messi played the full 90 minu...

6May

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Ligue 1

PSG’s Messi apologises for unauthorised Saudi trip

MESSI Lionel of Paris Saint Germain (PSG) in action during the French L1 football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and FC Lorient at The Parc des Princes Stadium in Paris, France, on April 30, 2023.Lionel Messi has apologised to his Paris St-Germain teammates and says he will wait for the club to decide what they want to do with him after making an unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia. The Argentina captain was suspended by the club for two weeks for the trip. It followed PSG’s home defeat by Lorient on Sunday – their third in six games – when Messi played 90 minutes. “I am sorry for what I did and I wait to see what the club decides,” Messi said in a video posted on Instagram. “I honestly thought we were going to have the day off after the match as had happened in the previous w...

3May

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Ligue 1, Lionel Messi

Messi to leave PSG at end of season

Lionel Messi during the French L1 football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Olympique Lyonnais (OL) at The Parc des Princes Stadium, on April 02, 2023 in Paris, France.Lionel Messi will leave Paris St-Germain this summer at the end of his current contract. The Argentine World Cup winner had reached an ‘agreement in principle’ to extend his stay for another year but neither club nor player now want to sign the deal. Messi is unconvinced the club can compete at the top of the European game, due to financial issues, while the French champions want to focus on developing young talent. He signed a two-year deal in Paris in 2021 with an option to renew for another year but that will now not be activated. It is understood his father Jorge Messi informed Paris St-Germain’s footbal...

2May

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Ligue 1, Lionel Messi

Messi suspended by PSG over Saudi Arabia trip

Lionel Messi of Paris Saint-Germain during the Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint-Germain and FC Lorient at Parc des Princes on April 30, 2023 in Paris, France.Argentina captain Lionel Messi has been suspended by Paris St-Germain for two weeks after travelling to Saudi Arabia without the club’s permission this week. The trip followed the French club’s home defeat by Lorient on Sunday, in which Messi played the full 90 minutes. Messi will not train or play for PSG during the period of his suspension. It is understood the 35-year-old asked permission to make the journey to carry out commercial work but was refused.Messi, who has also been fined by the club, has a role as a tourism ambassador for Saudi Arabia. The World Cup winner’s two-year contract with PSG expires this summer. Barcelo...

30Apr

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Achraf Hakimi, Ligue 1

Hakimi sees red as PSG lose at home to Lorient

Referee Jérôme Brisard (C) shows a red card for Achraf Hakimi of Paris Saint Germain (H) during the Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint-Germain and FC Lorient at Parc des Princes on April 30, 2023 in Paris, France.Lorient stunned 10-man Paris St-Germain as the Ligue 1 leaders fell to their ninth defeat in all competitions in 2023. Enzo le Fee opened the scoring for Lorient, firing high into the net from Romain Faivre’s cutback. Achraf Hakimi was sent off for PSG after collecting two yellow cards in 15 minutes. Kylian Mbappe equalised for the home side but goals from Darlin Yongwa and Bamba Dieng sealed victory for Lorient. Yongwa finished into the bottom corner from close range as Lorient took the lead before half-time. Then in the 87th minute, Dieng made sure of the three points when ...

18Apr

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Ligue 1, Marseille, UCL

Vitinha double lifts Marseille to second place

09 Vitor Manuel CARVALHO DE OLIVEIRA VITINHA (om) during the Ligue 1 Uber Eats match between Marseille and Troyes at Orange Velodrome on April 16, 2023 in Marseille, France. Marseille new signing Vitinha scored his first ever Ligue 1 goals in Sunday’s 3-1 win over Troyes that lifted the south coast club into second behind Paris Saint-Germain. The 23-year-old Portuguese was on the mark for the first time in the league since a 32 million euros move from Braga in January, as the goalmouth predator began to deliver for his new owners. For relegation-threatened Troyes this was a 14th Ligue 1 match without a win as they remain level second bottom. Marseille’s win edged them above Lens into second, and trimmed PSG’s lead to eight points, with seven games left to play, a day after the l...

16Apr

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Kylian Mbappe, Ligue 1, Lionel Messi, PSG

Mbappe sets league goals record for PSG in 3-1 Lens win

Lionel Messi #30 of Paris Saint-Germain celebrates his goal with Kylian Mbappe #7 of Paris Saint-Germain and teammates during the Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint-Germain and RC Lens at Parc des Princes on April 15, 2023 in Paris, France.Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi have scored a goal each as Paris Saint-Germain beat 10-man Lens 3-1 to move nine points clear at the top of the French league. It was a significant goal for Mbappe, who earlier this season became PSG’s all-time leading scorer when he beat Edinson Cavani’s 200-goal mark. His strike on Saturday against second-placed Lens made the 24-year-old France forward the outright all-time top scorer for PSG in Ligue 1 with 139 goals. Cavani registered 138. Overall, Mbappe has now hit the net 203 times for Paris. Marseille can move ...

1Apr

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Ligue 1, Marseille, NEWS, PSG

Ligue 1: Marseille miss closing on Paris Saint-Germain in Montpellier draw

Wahbi KHAZRI of Montpellier during the Ligue 1 Uber Eats match between Marseille and Montpellier at Orange Velodrome on March 31, 2023 in Marseille, France.Marseille missed the chance to put some pressure on Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain as they were held to a 1-1 home draw by Montpellier on Friday. Igor Tudor’s second-placed side could have cut the gap to PSG to four points with a victory ahead of the defending champions’ Sunday game against Lyon. But instead, Marseille dropped points for the third time in five league outings and could be overtaken by third-placed Lens when they visit Rennes on Saturday. “Today we weren’t good enough to win,” admitted Tudor.“The international break has cost us dearly. There were too many mentally and physically tired players.“We only had on...

3Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Ligue 1, NEWS, PSG, Sergio Ramos

Sergio Ramos is keen on PSG extension

Sergio Ramos looks on during a Paris Saint-Germain training session on March 01, 2023 in Paris, France. Sergio Ramos, PSG centre-back and one of the most decorated defenders in history, may have reached the end of the road when it comes to his national team duties. However, his passion for football burns bright, as he reportedly seeks to continue his journey with the French capital club, according to L’Équipe. Currently, negotiations between Ramos and the club are on hold, but there are positive indications of a good working relationship between the two sides, and they have agreed not to rush any decisions. At nearly 37 years old, the defender’s poor performances in the first half of the season was overlooked, with hopes that he would flip the Champions League switch. ...

27Feb

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Kylian Mbappe, Ligue 1, Marseille, PSG

PSG rout Marseille on the road in Ligue 1 summit clash

MARSEILLE, FRANCE - FEBRUARY 26: Lionel Messi #30 of Paris Saint-Germain celebrate his first goal with Kylian Mbappe #7 during the Ligue 1 match between Olympique Marseille and Paris Saint-Germain at Orange Velodrome on February 26, 2023 in Marseille, France.Kylian Mbappe has become Paris Saint-Germain’s joint-record scorer and Lionel Messi hit the 700th goal of his senior club career as the Ligue 1 leaders thrashed rivals Marseille 3-0. Mbappe and Messi exchanged assists on Sunday night as the visitors stormed into a 2-0 halftime lead, with the Argentine’s tap-in taking him to 700 goals in senior football for Barcelona and PSG. The duo saved the best for after the break, however, with Mbappe volleying Messi’s dinked pass home to join Edinson Cavani on 200 PSG goals on a memorable ni...

23Feb

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Ligue 1, Marseille, PSG

Marseille targets French title as leader PSG pays visit

Lionel Messi of PSG, Alexis Sanchez of Marseille (left) during the French Cup football match between Olympique de Marseille (OM) and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at Velodrome stadium on February 8, 2023 in Marseille, France.Marseille has a genuine chance at winning the French title for the first time since 2010, especially if it beats league leader Paris Saint-Germain at home on Sunday. Victory at a packed and vociferous Stade Velodrome stadium against bitter rival PSG would bring second-place Marseille to within two points of the defending champion. “The title? Of course we’re thinking about it,” Marseille defender Chancel Mbemba said after the team’s victory over Toulouse on Sunday. Marseille’s tally of 52 points is its best top-flight tally after 24 games. Confidence is growing in coach ...

21Feb

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Ligue 1, NEWS, Neymar, PSG

Neymar injury blow: PSG superstar in race against time for Bayern tie

Neymar Junior of Paris Saint Germain (C) lies injured during the Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint-Germain and Lille OSC at Parc des Princes on February 19, 2023 in Paris, France.“Oh, not again!” Neymar must have cursed his luck from the depths of his heart when the Paris Saint-Germain superstar landed awkwardly on his ankle after being tackled by Lille defensive midfielder Benjamin Andre during their Ligue 1 clash on Sunday.It is the same right ankle that has caused Neymar severe problems in recent years. The world’s most expensive footballer has sustained ankle injuries in 2018, 2019 and 2021, forcing him to miss Champions League ties against Manchester United and Real Madrid. The Brazil striker also had similar ankle troubles at the World Cup in Qatar, which kept him sidelined f...

19Feb

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Ligue 1, NEWS, Neymar, PSG

Neymar carried off as Messi scores late PSG winner

Neymar Jr #10 of Paris Saint-Germain reacts after an injury with Kylian Mbappe #7 during the Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint-Germain and Lille OSC at Parc des Princes on February 19, 2023 in Paris, France.Neymar was carried off on a stretcher before Lionel Messi scored a 95th-minute winner as Paris St-Germain gained an incredible win over Lille. PSG had been 2-0 ahead and 3-2 behind after goals from Lille’s Bafode Diakite, Jonathan David and Jonathan Bamba transformed the match. Kylian Mbappe, who opened the scoring, grabbed his second in the 87th minute to give PSG hope of victory. Messi then won it in dramatic fashion with a 22-yard free-kick. Despite the win, PSG’s main concern will be for Brazil forward Neymar after the 31-year-old, a goalscorer in the first half, was kicked on his c...

15Feb

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Kylian Mbappe, Ligue 1, NEWS

‘I shouldn’t have come back’ – Mbappe’s fitness confession after PSG return

Kylian Mbappe of PSG during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 leg one match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and FC Bayern Muenchen (Bayern Munich, Bayern München) at Parc des Princes stadium on February 14, 2023 in Paris, France.Kylian Mbappe admitted he rushed back too soon to face Bayern Munich in PSG’s Champions League last 16 first-leg defeat on Tuesday. The 24-year-old injured his thigh in PSG’s 3-1 win at Montpellier on February 1, and it was reported he would be sidelined for three weeks. However, just 13 days later, the forward was a surprise inclusion in Christophe Galtier’s squad and was introduced from the bench at the Parc des Princes. Mbappe had a goal ruled out for offside on a frustrating evening for the French champions as Kingsley Coman returned to haunt his former s...

13Feb

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Kylian Mbappe, Ligue 1, NEWS, PSG

PSG receive injury boost as Mbappe returns ahead of Bayern Munich clash

Paris Saint-Germain's French forward Kylian Mbappe lies on the ground after getting injured during the French L1 football match between Montpellier Herault SC and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at Stade de la Mosson in Montpellier, southern France on February 1, 2023.Paris Saint-Germain have received a massive injury boost ahead of their crucial Champions League encounter with Bayern Munich in the coming week. The club’s talisman Kylian Mbappe who was initially a doubt for the Round of 16 first leg game with injury, returned to training with the group on Sunday in a bid to play a role in the game. It has been a rough few days for PSG with their Ligue 1 title charge taking a hit following a disappointing 3-1 defeat away at AS Monaco on Saturday. Earlier, they were dealt another blow by Marseill...

12Feb

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Ligue 1, Neymar, PSG

Stumbling PSG lose 3-1 to Monaco in French league

Mohamed Camara of AS Monaco clashes with Neymar Jr of PSG during the Ligue 1 match between AS Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain at Stade Louis II on February 11, 2023 in Monaco, Monaco.A weakened Paris Saint-Germain have suffered a second straight loss in all competitions, going down 3-1 to Monaco 3-1 in the French league, three days before facing Bayern Munich. Monaco climbed to third place after Saturday’s win in Paris, seven points behind a rattled PSG, whose lead was cut to five points after second-placed Marseille beat Clermont 2-0. Undefeated in all competitions from August to December, PSG have become fragile. They lost to Lens and Rennes in the league last month and were knocked out by Marseille in the last 16 of the French Cup on Wednesday. “We have conceded a lot of goals since the ...

5Feb

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Ligue 1, Lionel Messi, NEWS, PSG

Lionel Messi hits winner as PSG come from behind to beat toulouse

Lionel Messi of PSG, Junya Ito of Reims (left) during the Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Stade de Reims at Parc des Princes stadium on January 29, 2023 in Paris, France.Lionel Messi scored a superb second-half winner as a Paris Saint-Germain side missing the injured Kylian Mbappe and Neymar came from behind to beat Toulouse 2-1 on Saturday and consolidate their lead at the top of Ligue 1. Dutch midfielder Branco van den Boomen gave mid-table Toulouse the lead at the Parc des Princes from a 20th-minute free-kick, only for Achraf Hakimi to curl in the equaliser with half-time approaching. Messi then put PSG in front just before the hour mark with a glorious first-time strike on his left foot low into the corner of the net from just outside the area. It was Mess...