Lionel Messi surpassed a goalscoring record clutched by Cristiano Ronaldo, as he became the greatest goalscorer in the history of Europe’s top five leagues.
Messi was the hero for Paris Saint Germain as the Argentine captain recorded his 496th European goals during their match against Strasbourg on Saturday, 27th of May.
This attainment left him above Ronaldo who scored 495 European goals before departing Europe for Saudi Arabia.
PSG recorded a 1-1 draw in the match as Kevin Gameiro scored an equalizer for Strasbourg but the result was enough for Christophe Gaultier’s men to secure the Ligue 1 title.
The defending champions didn’t even have to win at the Stade de la Meinau to keep their title.
In the 12 years since Qatari investors QSI assumed control, Paris Saint-Germain has won nine of its eleven titles. The first of these victories came in 2013.
Next Saturday, when PSG meet Clermont at Parc des Princes, the defending champions will celebrate the title in what could be Messi’s final game for the French club.
He signed a two-year contract with the team but has yet to exercise the option for an additional year.
The 35-year-old World Cup winner saw the back of the net just before the hour mark with a goal assisted by Kylian Mbappe, overtaking rival Ronaldo in second place on 495 goals scored in Europe’s top five leagues.
This season, Messi received criticism from Paris Saint-Germain supporters for his lackluster play since returning from helping Argentina win the World Cup.
Most recently, he was suspended by the club last month for taking an unapproved vacation to Saudi Arabia.
But it was his goal that sparked the jubilant celebration and earned Messi his 43rd major club and national trophy.
How Lionel Messi Surpassed Cristiano Ronaldo’s 495 European goals.
During PSG’s match against Strasbourg, Kylian Mbappe took a lofted through ball from Danilo Pereira in stride, spotted Lionel Messi running free, and shot past Matz Sels for Messi’s latest honor.
When Messi scored against championship rivals Lens last month, the Argentine equaled Ronaldo’s European goals record.
However, he has had to wait to go ahead of his Portuguese competitor.
Lionel Messi was back to his old self this weekend, and he finishes the season as the all-time leading scorer on this continent and a two-time champion of France.
Messi scored the record-tying goal in PSG’s 1-1 draw with Strasbourg on May 27 in Ligue 1. He had 474 goals for Barcelona in La Liga and 22 for the Parisians in Ligue 1.
The Argentine has played in 39 games in all competitions this season, scoring 21 goals and assisting 20 others.
On the other hand, Cristiano Ronaldo scored 311 goals in La Liga while playing for Real Madrid, 103 goals in the Premier League while playing for Manchester United, and 81 goals in Serie A while playing for Juventus.
What’s next for Lionel Messi?
The Argentine legend will play his farewell home game next Saturday against Clermont Foot before leaving the Parc des Princes this summer when his two-year contract expires.
Messi has been linked to a return to Barcelona in a fairytale scenario, but reports indicate that he is instead considering a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia, where Ronaldo is currently playing.
Since January, the Portuguese superstar has played for Al-Nassr, but Al-Hilal is aiming to get Messi after his contract with PSG expires next month.
However, Barca’s president Joan Laporta confirmed transfer talks with the 35-year-old after the Blaugrana won the La Liga title earlier this month, so the club still have faith that they will secure a homecoming deal.
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