Messi breaks Ronaldo’s goal record in Europe’s top five leagues as PSG wins Ligue 1

Messi made it 496 goals between Barca and PSG

It has to be said: Lionel Messi loves a big occasion.

Messi scored his 496th goal in a top five European league, pushing him ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo as the most prolific scorer in those leagues ever. The goal, in a 1-1 draw at Strasbourg, happened to be the one Paris Saint-Germain needed to assure themselves of yet another Ligue 1 trophy.

PSG, despite a season that has among other debacles has seen fans protesting at Neymar’s house and Messi being suspended, ended any potential for last-day drama by pushing four points clear of Lens, who beat Ajaccio 3-0 to keep the pressure on.

However, Lens’ hopes of a shock Ligue 1 triumph ended Saturday as Messi made more history. With PSG and Strasbourg deadlocked in the 59th minute, Kylian MbappΓ© feinted his way into an opening on the edge of the box, teeing up a sprinting Messi for an angled finish.

Messi’s 17th goal of the campaign allowed him to pass Ronaldo, who headed off to Saudi Arabia this winter with 495 goals scored in the Premier League, La Liga, and Serie A. Messi, meanwhile, has piled his goals up in La Liga with Barcelona and now at PSG in Ligue 1.

PSG has now won Ligue 1 in nine of the last 11 seasons, with only Monaco (2016-17) and Lille (2020-21) able to interrupt their total dominance in France.

The goal may also be a farewell for Messi, who has been strongly linked with a move away from Paris. MLS commissioner Don Garber has openly admitted the league would be willing to change its rules to get Messi to sign with Inter Miami, and Barcelona would love to bring him back. That said, all indicators are pointing towards him following Ronaldo to the Saudi Pro League, presumably to break his goal record there and/or make unfathomable amounts of money.

Watch Messi’s record-breaking goal for PSG

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