Stats & Facts: The first title in numbers

A TEST PASSED IN STYLE

With the impressive victory over Les Canaris (4-0), the club from the capital took home their 11th Trophée des Champions title on Sunday evening, the competition which sees the French league champions take on the winners of the Coupe de France.

It's an unbeatable record, with no less than 9 titles in the last 10 editions of this 'Supercup' at the top of French football. Olympique Lyonnais, next in line in the history's competition, boast 7 trophies. 

By far, Paris Saint-Germain have now taken home the most titles in French football, with this 47th title since 1970.

Messi on fire

It would seem that the summer has paid off for Leo Messi, who has returned to the capital hungrier than ever. You have to say that you couldn't afford to be late to pre-season in Japan, given that the n°30 scored against each of the Japanese sides faced in friendlies during the tour.

A stat that has now been backed up in competitive football, with La Pulga constantly creating space, chances and real heart-in-mouth moments for Alban Lafont, who was forced to make three stops to deny the Argentine (match record). The keeper was eventually beaten by the seven-times Ballon d’Or winner for the Paris Saint-Germain opener (1-0, 25').

With 6 completed dribbles during the match, Messi boasts the best stats from the encounter. More surprisingly, he even picked up a completed tackle! With 91 touches of the ball during the match, only the lively Marco Verratti (97) bettered him on the pitch.

Rewarded for his activity and the magical connection with Neymar Jr, the Argentine was deservedly named man of the match.

THANK YOU TO NANTES!

Despite their brave efforts, Antoine Kombouaré's side fell to defeat after a clinical performance from our Parisiens. In almost a nod to history, FC Nantes were the club that opened the way for the Parisiens over 26 years ago, given that it was against Les Nantais that Paris won their first ever Trophée des Champions, on 3 January 1996 after winning a penalty shootout (2-2, 6-5 on penalties).

It's worth noting that Paris love facing Les Nantais! The proof being that the club from the capital have scored at least one goal in their last 27 encounters with Les Nantais. It's simple, you have to rewind 16 years to a poor 0-0 draw at the Stade de la Beaujoire (25 February 2006) to see Les Parisiens fail to find the back of the net against FCN. They are, therefore, Les Rouge et Bleu's second favourite victims, with 50 defeats in the club's history. Only AS Saint-Etienne have lost more (51).

WELL PLAYED CAPTAIN 

It wasn't just the team that recorded impressive stats during the encounter! Marquinhos, himself went to prove that in passing a symbolic record during the win. He wore the Paris Saint-Germain armband for the 116th time, overtaking Claude Makélélé (115 matches). Ahead of him in the Rouge et Bleu history books, are just two former captains: Thiago Silva (293 matches) and Dominique Bathenay (227 matches),

A Neymar Jr PARTY

He scored two goals in Les Rouge et Bleu's final pre-season friendly in Osaka, and it seemed that he wanted to continue in the same light as he returned to competitive football. Job done for Neymar Jr, who put theory into practice in this Trophée des Champions, with no less than two goals (45+5', 91') and an impressive pass that led to Leo Messi's opener. 

A special mention for his superb free-kick which catapulted into Alban Lafont's net, to demonstrate his impressive form with Paris. The Brazilian n°10 has now scored 11 goals in his last 10 matches for Paris across all competitions! 

SPECIAL MENTION

Marco Verratti had already finished last season as the player to have won the most titles in the history of French football with 10 Hexagoal, and he starts this season with another personal record. With 9 wins, he boasts the record for the most Trophée des Champions victories!