Ligue 1

1Feb

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Ligue 1, Lionel Messi, PSG

Messi says World Cup trophy ‘called out’ to him

Lionel Messi of Argentina holds the World Cup trophy during a ceremony after the FIFA World Cup 2022 Final Match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium in Lusail City, Qatar on December 18, 2022Lionel Messi won the World Cup because the sparkling solid gold trophy picked him to lift it, the Argentine star said in a radio interview aired on Monday. The 35-year-old inspired his country to World Cup glory last month by scoring two goals and a penalty in the South Americans’ shoot-out triumph over previous holders France following a thrilling 3-3 draw in Qatar. “The cup called out to me, it told me: come and grab me, now you can touch me,” Messi told the Argentine Urbana Play radio station in his first interview since lifting the trophy in December. “I saw it sparkling in that beautifu...

16Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Christophe Galtier, Ligue 1, NEWS, PSG

Messi, Neymar and Mbappe can’t prevent another PSG loss

Lionel Messi of PSG, Arnaud Kalimuendo of Rennes during the Ligue 1 match between Stade Rennais and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at Roazhon Park stadium on January 15, 2023 in Rennes, France.Paris Saint-Germain coach Christophe Galtier said he will use video analysis to better understand the Ligue 1 leaders’ problems following a second straight away defeat in the French league on Sunday. PSG started with Lionel Messi and Neymar in attack before bringing on Kylian Mbappe – the first time the trio have played together since the Qatar World Cup – early in the second half but still managed only one shot on target in the whole game under driving rain.A 65th-minute goal by Rennes defender Hamari Traoré condemned PSG to a second defeat in three matches and cut the French champions’ lead over second-...

15Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Ligue 1, NEWS, PSG

PSG to explore alternatives as Parc des Princes not for sale

An exterior view of Parc des Princes Stadium, home of Paris Saint-Germain football team at Parc des Princes on October 25th 2022 in Paris, France.French champions Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) said they will explore “alternative options” for their home stadium after Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo said the Parc des Princes was not for sale. The stadium, owned by the Paris city council, has been PSG’s home since they entered France’s top division in 1974. French media reported that Ligue 1 side PSG put forward an offer to buy the Parc des Princes in November last year. In an interview with Marca at the time, PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi said the club did not feel welcome at the stadium. “The Parc des Princes is not for sale. And it will not be sold. This is a firm and definitive position,” Hidalgo...

12Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Ligue 1, Lionel Messi, NEWS, PSG

Messi lifts PSG after return from World Cup

Hugo Ekitike #44 of Paris Saint-Germain is congratulated after scoring his side's first goal by teammates Neymar #10 of Paris Saint-Germain, Lionel Messi #30 of Paris Saint-Germain and Sergio Ramos #4 of Paris Saint-Germain during the Paris Saint-Germain V Angers, French Ligue 1 regular season match at Parc des Princes on January 11th 2022 in Paris, France.Lionel Messi scored in Paris Saint-Germain’s 2-0 win over Angers in Ligue 1 on Wednesday on his first appearance since leading Argentina to victory in the World Cup in Qatar. Messi had been rested for PSG’s first three matches following the long break in the season caused by the World Cup but he returned to training in Paris a week ago and was back in the starting line-up for this game against Ligue 1’s bottom side. The win, which came t...

11Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Ligue 1, Lionel Messi, NEWS, PSG

Messi set for first PSG tie since World Cup victory

Lionel Messi (10) of Argentina in action during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Semi-Final match between Argentina and Croatia at Lusail Stadium on December 13, 2022, in Lusail City, Qatar.Lionel Messi is expected to make his first appearance for Paris Saint-Germain since his World Cup triumph in a Ligue 1 clash at home against Angers today, as the Qatar-owned club look to tie the Argentine down to a new contract. The 35-year-old took part in training with his teammates yesterday, a little over three weeks after inspiring Argentina to victory over France on penalties in an epic World Cup final in Qatar. He was granted a two-week holiday back in his home country following the tournament, before returning to Paris and being given a guard of honour at PSG’s training ground last Wednesday. The s...

3Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Ligue 1, NEWS, PSG

Paris Saint-Germain suffer first loss of season

Kylain Mbappe #7 of Paris Saint-Germain in action during the Ligue 1 match between RC Lens and Paris Saint-Germain at Stade Bollaert-Delelis on January 01, 2023 in Lens, France.Paris Saint-Germain, without World Cup winner Lionel Messi and Neymar, lost for the first time in any competition since March 20 last year when they were defeated 3-1 at Lens on Sunday. “Lens deserved their win,” said PSG coach Christophe Galtier. Lois Openda scored one and set up another as Lens, who have only lost once in Ligue 1 this season, closed the gap on PSG at the top to four points after 17 rounds. “We are happy to be four points behind,” said Lens coach Franck Haise. “This victory proves that we can beat anyone in this championship.” PSG’s last loss was more than nine months ago when they fell 3-0 at...

29Dec

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Kylian Mbappe, Ligue 1, PSG

Mbappe to the rescue after red card spoils Neymar’s return to PSG duty

Kylian Mbappe #7 of Paris Saint-Germain controls the ball against Jean Ricner Bellegarde #17 of RC Strasbourg Alsace during the Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint-Germain and RC Strasbourg at Parc des Princes on December 28, 2022 in Paris, France.Kylian Mbappe scored an injury-time penalty to seal a 2-1 win for Paris Saint-Germain over Strasbourg in Ligue 1 on Wednesday before admitting he will never get over France’s World Cup final defeat to Argentina. Mbappe was back in action 10 days after scoring a hat-trick in the final but then seeing the South Americans win in a penalty shootout. PSG had Neymar sent off for two yellow cards as the Brazilian made an unhappy return to action following his country’s elimination in the World Cup quarter-finals. Captain Marquinhos had put the hosts ahead...

13Nov

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Kylian Mbappe, Ligue 1, PSG

Mbappe on target as PSG thrash Auxerre

Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint Germain (C) celebrating the opening goal of PSG with his teammates during the Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint-Germain and AJ Auxerre at Parc des Princes on November 13, 2022 in Paris, France.Paris St-Germain moved five points clear at the top of Ligue 1 with a dominant display to see off Auxerre in their final match before the break for the World Cup. They opened the scoring in the 11th minute at the Parc des Princes when Lionel Messi played a lovely chipped ball over the top to Nuno Mendes, who found Kylian Mbappe in the middle and the France striker volleyed home. For all PSG's possession, that was one of only two shots in the first half, which was their lowest total in a league game since May 2021. The cutting edge came in the second half as Carlos Soler d...

30Oct

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Ligue 1, Lionel Messi, PSG

Paris Saint-Germain wins Ligue 1 duel 4-3 against Troyes

Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint Germain (R) celebrating his goal with his teammate Lionel Messi of Paris Saint Germain (L) during the Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint-Germain and ESTAC Troyes at Parc des Princes on October 29, 2022 in Paris, France. Paris Saint-Germain won a French Ligue 1 week 13 duel Saturday 4-3 against Troyes. Troyes’ Mama Balde gave his team an early lead in the third minute before Carlos Soler leveled in the 24th minute at Parc des Princes in Paris.Balde netted another in the 52nd minute but just three minutes later, Argentine star Lionel Messi took the stage. He sparked the comeback with a screamer, then, his partners in crime, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, scored in the 62nd and 77th minutes, respectively. A goal in the 88th minute by Ante Palaversa was not e...