“Why PSG’s 11th Ligue 1 title doesn’t feel historic”

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) have been crowned Ligue 1 champions for the eleventh time. The team won the title despite drawing 1-1 away to Strasbourg in a lackluster match. This triumph is not just a celebration for PSG supporters but also for Qatar as the country invested heavily in the club as a means of increasing its appeal. Indeed, PSG‘s win was historic and cemented their place as France’s most successful football club. However, the club’s stratospheric rise achieved by Qatar’s wealth has inspired mixed emotions among the fans.

A Decade of Dominance

Since the takeover by the Qatar Sports Investment group ten years ago, PSG have grown to become a football powerhouse, winning nine of the twelve Ligue 1 championships during this period. They have exceeded the achievements of other French giants such as Saint-Etienne and Marseille, becoming the first club in Ligue 1 to win eleven titles.

A Season of Struggle

This season has been a challenge for PSG as they have had to cope with injuries and Covid-related complications. The strain of winning has certainly taken its toll, and the captain of the team, Marquinhos, has said that “this was not the best season.” The team has also been beset by drama, leading to the club suspending star player Lionel Messi for missing training to make a promotional trip to Saudi Arabia. There have also been accusations of racism against PSG‘s coach and prominent protests by disgruntled supporters.

A Time of Reflection

Given these issues, it is understandable that PSG‘s win this season has been met with a sense of relief rather than joy. There is a sense within the club that they have lost focus and that there needs to be a reset and a new direction. Unlike Manchester City, which is financially backed by Gulf states like Abu Dhabi, PSG has had four different managers since Qatar Sports Investment’s takeover. PSG‘s lack of consistency should alert them to the need to pause, reassess and formulate a new plan that will keep them competitive at the highest levels in both domestic and European competition.

A Need for a New Plan

The depth of PSG‘s squad certainly requires improvement, particularly in defense, which was ruthlessly exposed by Bayern Munich in this season’s Champions League last-16 meeting. PSG‘s resources dwarf those of other French football clubs and their financial strength has widened the gap between them and their domestic competition. PSG‘s ownership now needs to be more focused on building a team that can win the Champions League rather than settling for domestic dominance.

Conclusion

PSG‘s financial investments transformed the club from relative obscurity to total dominance in a decade. However, this year’s struggle has revealed the limits of their investments. PSG‘s potential will only be realized if the owners can sustain their financial backing to create a team that can compete with Europe’s elite. After winning eleven titles in just a decade, the only way for PSG to go is up, and they need to look to the future with a fresh perspective to secure future triumphs and embrace the dreams of their fans.