Paris Saint-Germain ​secured a fifth successive Ligue 1 title, beating nearest challengers Lens 2-0 away in ‌their penultimate match of the league season on Wednesday.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scored after 29 minutes, and substitute Ibrahim Mbaye added a stoppage-time strike to see PSG advance to 76 points, out of the reach of Lens, who are assured ​of second place on 67 points.

The championship is PSG’s 14th Ligue 1 title and ​strengthens their status as the most successful club in French league history.

The Parisians, ⁠who will play in the Champions League final later this month, were all but assured of ​the title going into the fixture with a six-point lead over Lens and a vastly superior goal ​difference, but needed one more point to make sure.

But they needed a series of dramatic saves from goalkeeper Matvey Safonov to ensure victory as their hosts had several good opportunities to win the game in an electric atmosphere at Stade Bollaert-Delelis.

Lens had ​a 20th-minute header from Adrien Thomasson cleared off the PSG line by Illia Zabarnyi, but nine minutes ​later, Ousmane Dembele stole the ball from Lens defender Malang Sarr and put a quick pass through for Kvaratskhelia to ‌hammer home ⁠from point-blank range.

After that, the best opportunities fell for Lens, but Safonov made a series of sharp stops to deny both Wesley Said and Abdallah Sima, who then struck the post in the 73rd minute to add to the home frustrations.

Teenager Mbaye hit an impressive strike on the counterattack to score PSG’s second goal at ​the end of ⁠the game and give more gloss to the scoreline.

PSG had travelled with a severely depleted squad. Lucas Chevalier, Achraf Hakimi, Lee Kang-in, Nuno Mendes, Willian ​Pacho and Warren Zaire-Emery were all unavailable through injury.

PSG finish their season ​with a derby ⁠away against Paris FC on Sunday and then defend their Champions League crown against Arsenal in Budapest on May 30.

Lens, whose coach Pierre Sage was voted Coach of the Year by his peers this ⁠week, complete ​their league campaign away at fourth-placed Olympique Lyonnais on ​Sunday and then play Nice in the French Cup final at the Stade de France in Paris on May 22. Lens ​will compete in next season’s Champions League.

-Reuters

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Lionel Messi will play his last game for Paris St Germain against Clermont on Saturday, coach Christophe Galtier said on Thursday as he called on fans to give the Argentine forward a warm send-off at the Parc des Princes.

Messi, who has 21 goals and 20 assists for PSG in all competitions this season, moved to the French capital from Barcelona in 2021 on a two-year contract.

The 35-year-old, who led Argentina to the World Cup title in Qatar and also boasts a record seven Ballon d’Or awards, won the Ligue 1 title in the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons with PSG as well as the French Super Cup in July 2022.

“I had the privilege of coaching the best player in the history of football. This will be his last match at the Parc des Princes, and I hope that he will receive the warmest of welcomes,” Galtier told reporters on Thursday.

Last month, French media reported that Messi was suspended for two weeks after an unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia when he was supposed to train with his team following their 3-1 defeat at home to Lorient in the league.

“This year, he has been an important part of the team, always available. I don’t think any of the comments or criticisms are justified,” Galtier said.

“He’s always been there for the team. It’s been a great privilege to accompany him throughout the season.”

Messi’s future at PSG had been the subject of much speculation recently, with a source close to the Argentina captain telling Reuters that he had received a formal offer to join Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal next season.

He has also been linked in the media with a move back to boyhood club Barcelona, with the United States’ Major League Soccer club Inter Miami also being touted as a possible destination.

PSG’S TITLE CELEBRATIONS ON HOLD

Messi’s last game for PSG is unlikely to be a joyous affair, with Galtier saying that their title celebrations would be put on ice with the distraught squad’s thoughts occupied with concern for goalkeeper Sergio Rico.

Rico was involved in a riding accident while participating in an annual pilgrimage in southern Spain, the day after PSG wrapped up the title with one game to spare after a 1-1 draw at Racing Strasbourg.

Rico has been in intensive care after suffering “a serious mishap due to a mule cart and a horse that hit him”, his family said in a statement late on Sunday. Spanish paper Marca reported that Rico had been riding a horse himself.

“There will be no celebrations, it’s been a very difficult week. We’re all affected because we went from winning the French title on Saturday to waking up in more than a little pain on Sunday morning,” Galtier told reporters ahead of PSG’s final league game of the season.

“We’re all affected, and we’re trying as best we can to take our minds off things through the training sessions… We’re very united in sending out lots of positive vibes and energy to Sergio, his mum, his wife and his loved ones.”

-Reuters