Most of the European footballing seasons are coming to a close. The winning clubs are slowly being determined. However, the winners of La Liga and Ligue 1 have already been decided. Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) have come out as champions in their respective leagues. In doing so, they have set records.
Real Madrid were crowned official La Liga champions for the 23/24 season yesterday (4 May). This came after a 3-0 win over Cádiz and Barcelona losing 4-2 against Girona. That loss meant that Los Blancos can't be overtaken. They are 13 points ahead of 2nd placed Girona and there are four matches remaining in the league. The math is pretty simple.
This will be Madrid's 36th title. Their truimph has almost been inevitable for a long time. They have suffered a single defeat in the league - against Atlético Madrid - in September last year. Goals from Brahim Díaz, Joselu and Jude Bellingham propelled Real Madrid to its decisive win against Cádiz on Saturday.
In winning the La Liga, Jude Bellingham became just the fifth Englishman to win the title. Real Madrid would probably not be where they are now if they didn't have Bellingham. Bellingham has been the crux of the team and the success. He has scored 18 league goals, including injury time winners in both El Clásico victories against Barcelona.
It's the 25th trophy that both Nacho and Luka Modric have won at Real Madrid. Both players have joined Marcelo and Karim Benzema as the club’s most decorated players. Nacho said on their website, "I’d be lying to you if I told you that when I was little I didn’t dream of winning a La Liga as captain. It’s a feeling I’ve been looking forward to this year. It’s a dream come true. To win a league title at Real Madrid is magnificent, but to do it as captain is even better.”
The club will only have its traditional celebration of titles in downtown Madrid next Saturday with its important game against Bayern coming first. Real Madrid manager, Carlo Ancelotti, said, "We deserved this league title in every way. We would like to celebrate with all the fans, but they understand because on Wednesday we have a very important challenge. We want to prepare well to make the fans happy and we will celebrate the title together on Saturday.”
Meanwhile in France, PSG have claimed their 12th Ligue 1 title. This came after Monaco lost their match to Lyon, 3-2. PSG president, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, said, "Winning the league is fantastic, but winning Ligue 1 for the twelfth time is even more special for everyone connected to Paris Saint-Germain." We're going to enjoy this moment as a family. And also keep working hard, game after game, until the last moment of the season."
PSG manager, Luis Enrique, said, "We're champions. I don't care if there's a party or not." We have a goal difference of plus 29 on the second place, I already feel like champions. Even if we don't score any more points, we'll be champions."
They only tasted defeat once in the league. It came in September, against Nice. The draw against La Havre (3-3) meant that PSG are on a 26 unbeaten league run. Luis Enrique said, "I don't care if I'm undefeated. That goal gave us the title." That, and for the rage I had because we didn't play much. We're missing two titles, we're going to do everything we can to get them."
They have secured the league and Trophée des Champions. They are in the Champions League and are in the final of the Coupe de France. Kylian Mbappe is leaving at the end of the campaign and would love to bow out on a high. This season is already his best in terms of goals scored. He has netted 43 times in all competitions.
They have racked up 20 victories from 31 matches, drawing on 10 occasions and are undefeated away from home. They have now finished top of the pile in France on 12 occasions, two clear of the next best total achieved by Saint-Etienne.
Nasser Al-Khelaifi added, "Since the very beginning of the season, the team has been so collective and united. I will also never forget the fans, who have been amazing whatever the result."
Both clubs can't start the party just yet. Both still have business to attend to, i.e., The Champions League. The 2nd legs of the semi-finals will take place this Tuesday & Wednesday. Real Madrid will host Bayern Munich on Wednesday. The aggregate score after the 1st leg in Munich is 2-2. PSG will host Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday. Borussia Dortmund have the advantage as they won the 1st leg 1-0.
It's hard to argue against the two clubs winning their respective leagues. They are both very strong teams and quite clearly hard to beat. It would've been interesting to see just how well both teams would do without their star players: Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe. PSG will have to look for a new superstar after Mbappe leaves the Parc des Princes at the end of the season. There's no telling just how powerful of a team Real Madrid will become if Mbappe joins them in the summer
Felicidades Real Madrid!
Toutes nos félicitations PSG!
Source Material
Jones, M. 2024. Paris Saint-Germain crowned Ligue 1 champions for 12th time after Monaco lose to Lyon. EuroSport.
Reuters. 2024. PSG clinch record-extending 12th Ligue 1 title after Monaco lose at Lyon. Reuters.
Ronald, I. 2024. Real Madrid wins record-extending 36th La Liga title. CNN.
Wilson, J. 2024. Real Madrid wins its record-extending 36th Spanish league title after Barcelona loses at Girona. AP News.