The bare minimum: PSG was satisfied with the point it lacked to lock in first place until the end of the season, against Artésiens reduced to ten during the last half hour, during the 34th day.

Lionel Messi, with a fine strike from outside the box (68th), rolled out the red carpet for the new king, but Corentin Jean's equalizer (88th) at the end of the match spoiled the parade.

The joy of Lensois striker Corentin Jean, after having equalized (1-1) at the end of the match against Paris Saint-Germain, during the 34th day of Ligue 1, April 23, 2022 at the Parc des Princes bERTRAND GUAY AFP

Dethroned by Lille last season, PSG regains a status more in line with its enormous financial means which allow it to crush national competition.

In the French football charts too, the capital club will now sit at the very top, thanks to this "Decima" which allows it to return to the height of Saint-Etienne, and to overtake Marseille.

But there may be an asterisk to add, as the atmosphere was unworthy of a champion club in the last minutes, as the symbol of a malaise that is only growing between some of the fans and management.

Messi feat

At the final whistle, the Parisian players did not even go to greet the ultras, who renewed their strike of encouragement for the third game in a row, a hundred of whom left their stands during the match to celebrate in front of the stadium, with firecrackers and smoke.

"It hurts when you don't win it. Last year we didn't win it, it hurt us a lot so you have to make the most of it when you win. It's a shame for the atmosphere," said recognized Captain Marquinhos at the microphone of Canal +.

The satisfaction of Marquinhos, Presnel Kimpembe, Kylian Mbappé and Neymar, after Paris Saint-Germain's 10th French championship title, acquired despite their draw (1-1) against Lens, during the 34th day of Ligue 1, April 23, 2022 at the Parc des Princes bERTRAND GUAY AFP

"Winning this tenth title is particularly significant, it rewards the immense work we have done in 11 years," said President Nasser Al-Khelaïfi in a statement.

But the Qatari owner of PSG's obsession with the Champions League has relegated Ligue 1 to the background in terms of emotions.

It is not this title that will erase the disappointment of the 8th against Real Madrid.

The players failed, either, to snatch applause from a silent Parc des Princes, which waited a long time, in vain, for spectacular actions from Messi or Neymar.

Lionel Messi and Neymar, during the match of the 34th day of Ligue 1 against Lens, April 23, 2022 at the Parc des Princes bERTRAND GUAY AFP

Sergio Ramos, he missed a good ball to open the scoring (67th).

The only brilliance of the defender was to chain a second tenure in a row, after that in Angers (3-0) on Wednesday, for the first time this season.

As so often, PSG hoped for a dazzling performance from Mbappé to hide the collective deficiencies that weigh down coach Mauricio Pochettino's wallet, in the hot seat, but the striker was not successful either (32nd, 39th, 53rd).

PSG striker Kylian Mbappé tries his luck despite the return of Austrian defender from Lens Kevin Danzo, during the 34th day of Ligue 1, April 23, 2022 at the Parc des Princes bERTRAND GUAY AFP

It was following an adverse error - Kevin Danso's second yellow which led to his expulsion (57) - that the Parisians managed to save a badly started evening.

Everything for Mbappe

Messi's feat allowed PSG to keep the essentials against Artésiens who deserved the point of a draw, as they had opportunities.

The joy of Argentinian Lionel Messi, congratulated by the Brazilians Neymar and Marquinhos, after opening the scoring for PSG against Lens, during the 34th day of Ligue 1, April 23, 2022 at the Parc des Princes Alain JOCARD AFP

Thanks to this coronation, PSG will play their last four matches without pressure.

The issue will be elsewhere.

When it's not the Champions League, it's the transfer window that animates the life of the club.

Lens' pre-match was thus overshadowed by a new episode of the soap opera of the future of Mbappé, whose contract expires in June.

Kylian Mbappé, warming up before the PSG match against Lens, during the 34th day of Ligue 1, April 23, 2022 at the Parc des Princes bERTRAND GUAY AFP

The superstar, whose mother, Fayza Lamari, was in Qatar this week, maintains the mystery around his future, shared between PSG, who want to keep him at all costs, and Real Madrid.

The facts and gestures of "Kyky" will still punctuate the end of the season, without much stake for Parisians, who will not beat their record for points over a season (96), nor for goals scored (108), except in an unlikely scenario.

Convincing the striker to stay would certainly be the best trophy of the season for the club.

© 2022 AFP