GOAT Legacy Cemented? Messi Becomes the Most Decorated Player in the History of Football

• Lionel Messi has become the joint most decorated player of all time after his Ligue 1 triumph
• The 35-year-old shares the enviable record with a former Barcelona team-mate
• He also became the greatest scorer Europe has seen when smashed the record for most goals scored in Europe's top five leagues

Lionel Messi further cemented his legacy as the Greatest Footballer of All Time by becoming the most decorated player in the history of the sport, sharing the record with Dani Alves.

Messi equalled Alves's previously held record when he inspired Paris Saint-Germain to a record 11th French title on Saturday, May 27.

In poetic style, the mercurial Argentine playmaker found the back of the net after he was set up by Kylian Mbappe as PSG all but secured the Ligue 1 crown with one match remaining.

The trophy is the 43rd of Messi's glistening career, bringing him level with former Barcelona team-mate Alves. For context, Messi's archrival Cristiano Ronaldo, who missed out on the Saudi Pro League, has 34 trophies to his name.

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According to All Football, while sharing the honours with Dani Alves, the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner is one league trophy shy of Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs, who holds the record of 13 championships to his name.

Messi's second league crown with PSG caps off a remarkable season after he helped Argentina win the World Cup in December 2022 before proceeding to win The FIFA Best Men's Player of the Year under review and the 2023 Laureus World Sportsman of the Year, Daily Star reports.

Breakdown of Messi's 43 trophies

Messi won 35 of his club career titles during his stint at FC Barcelona (2004-2021), including four Champions League titles.

He has won five trophies with Argentina, including the 2021 Copa America, the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the Olympic gold medal at Beijing 2008.

Since joining Paris Saint Germain in 2021, Lionel Messi has added three trophies to his cabinet - Ligue 1 (2021-22), Ligue 1 (2022-23) and Trophee des Champions (2022)

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Messi smashes Ronaldo's record

In a related publication, Sports Brief reported that Lionel Messi became the most prolific footballer in Europe's top five leagues thanks to his title-winning goal for Paris Saint-Germain's 1-1 draw with Strasbourg on Saturday, May 27.

Messi's effort from close range after receiving a pass from Kylian Mbappe took his tally for the season to 16 goals, sealing the French Ligue 1 crown for the Parisians in what will be his penultimate game in France.

His goal against Strasbourg took him to a staggering 496 goals, surpassing that of long-standing nemesis Cristiano Ronaldo, who has been on 495 goals after he swapped Europe for the Middle East in January.