Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) are on the verge of clinching yet another Ligue 1 title this weekend and are closing in on becoming the first-ever team to finish a French top-flight season unbeaten. Luis Enrique’s formidable side hold a commanding 21-point lead over second-placed Monaco, and avoiding defeat at home against Angers on Saturday would officially secure the championship with six games to spare. This would mark just the third time in Ligue 1 history that a team has won the title with so many matches remaining.
PSG previously achieved it in 2016 with eight games left, while Lyon matched the six-game feat in 2007. PSG’s 2016 title, sealed by mid-March, remains the earliest ever in the calendar year.
PSG dominance redefined
While domestic dominance is nothing new for PSG — this would be their fifth straight Ligue 1 crown and 12th in the past 14 seasons — the manner of their 2024 campaign has drawn particular praise. This run has come despite the high-profile departures of Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappé, underlining Luis Enrique’s ability to build a resilient, cohesive squad.
History in the making
PSG remain unbeaten in all 27 league matches so far and are fast approaching the all-time record for the longest unbeaten start to a Ligue 1 season: 32 games, set by Nantes in 1994/95. Nantes suffered their only defeat in the 33rd game of that campaign. “That Nantes side were one of the greatest teams we’ve had in French football history,” said French football expert Julien Laurens on the EuroLeagues podcast. “[They went close to going unbeaten], but nobody has ever gone the whole way.”
Chasing milestone
“They would be the first French team ever to do it,” Laurens noted. “One defeat has been done twice, but zero defeats never. I think this is the main motivation for this PSG team and Luis Enrique.” With the Ligue 1 title virtually secured, PSG’s focus may now shift to completing this historic unbeaten run — and writing a new chapter in French football history. Head of Sports at BusinessDay Media, a seasoned Digital Content Producer, and FIFA/CAF Accredited Journalist with over a decade of sports reporting.Has a deep understanding of the Nigerian and global sports landscape and skills in delivering comprehensive and insightful sports content.