France Ligue 1

LIONEL MESSI scored a screamer as Paris Saint-Germain defeated Troyes in a thriller.The Parisians came from behind twice to win the match 4-3 to extend their lead at the top of the Ligue 1 table to five points.

Lionel Messi inspired PSG to an important win over TroyesCredit: AP
With PSG behind 1-2 as the hour mark approached Messi received the ball from Sergio Ramos, took two touches to steady himself before firing a shot in from 25-yards.
Messi, 35, lifted both arms into the air and roared in celebration to the delight of the home support and his teammates.
Christophe Galtier’s side started the game slowly and found themselves behind when Mama Balde scored after just three minutes.
Carlos Soler drew the hosts level before Balde netted again leaving fans nervous that their unbeaten run that has lasted all season was going to end.
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But Messi then turned on the magic with his goal levelling the match and the Argentina international then set up Neymar as PSG went ahead for the first time in the game.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner dropped deep to receive the ball and carried it forward before playing an-inch perfect through ball to Neymar and the Brazilian finished calmly.
Kylian Mbappe scored a penalty to seal the win before Ante Palaversa scored late on for Troyes to set up a tense ending but PSG survived.
Messi gained the plaudits after the match as fans were once again dazzled by another man of the match display.
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One fan said: “Amazes me how people think [Cristiano] Ronaldo is better than Messi – he’s not even close to him.”
Another reacted: “He has always been and will forever be the GOAT.”
Messi’s latest goal and assist takes his tally for the season up to 11 goals and 12 assists in 16 matches in all competitions. More

PSG have rubbished reports in the French media claiming Kylian Mbappe’s wages have been leaked.Since the 23-year-old made the shock decision to extend his stay in Paris amid intense interest from Real Madrid terms of the deal have remained under wraps.
Mbappe is widely seen as one of the best players in the worldCredit: Getty
But reports emerged in France claiming how lucrative the contract is.
Le Parisien via Get French Football News, claimed the Frenchman was in line to earn £547m in the three year period since he signed his extension.
However, PSG have rubbished the claims.
A club source said: “Following a sensationalist media story published overnight regarding the Club and one of its players, Paris Saint-Germain confirms the story is completely wrong with not a single detail being correct.
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“The timing of the spurious publication by this media outlet is also surprising, just days before an important Champions League match.
“Paris Saint-Germain will not be dignifying this matter with any further comment. Instead of commenting on rumours and gossip, everyone at the Club is positively focused on the important Champions League game tomorrow.
Had the claim been true, it would have made Mbappe the highest-paid sportsperson of all time.
Despite only recently signing a new deal, Mbappe has seemed unsettled at PSG this season.
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Amid rumours of dressing room divides centred around him and team-mate Neymar, the star was reported as being desperate for a move away from the club.
Several Premier League clubs have been linked to a sensational January swoop but he would undoubtedly not come cheap.
The striker will enter the final 12 months of his deal at the end of the season, likely triggering another summer of speculation.
PSG would need to get him to renew his deal or risk losing one of the best players in Europe on a free.
The off-pitch drama does not appear to have played well with the French public with several fans booing Mbappe upon his arrival at last week’s Ballon d’Or celebrations.
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But things remain rosy on the pitch with Christophe Galtier’s side five points clear at the top of Ligue 1.
And Mbappe already has 14 goals in all competitions, four ahead of Neymar and six ahead of Lionel Messi. More

LYON fans went crazy in the streets after Karim Benzema won the Ballon d’Or on Monday night.The 34-year-old Frenchman beat Sadio Mane and Kevin de Bruyne to claim the award after nine previous nominations.
Benzema collected the Ballon d’Or on Monday nightCredit: Rex
Lyon fans swarmed the streets as they sung songs in honour of BenzemaCredit: Reddit
The supporters also lit flares to celebrate the French striker’s successCredit: Twitter
There was a party atmosphere in Lyon on Monday nightCredit: Reddit
And supporters of his former club Lyon were ecstatic for their fellow countryman.
Benzema came through the Ligue 1 outfit’s youth set-up and then scored 66 goals in 148 appearances for the first team.
He won four successive French titles between 2005 and 2008, before leaving to join Real Madrid in 2009 for £35.2million.
But, 13 years on from his departure, he has by no means been forgotten – with Lyon fans still loving him more than a decade on.
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And they showcased their love for the striker by flooding the streets in celebration of his Ballon d’Or success.
Flares were lit and songs were sung as they paraded Benzema’s glory at the Place des Terreaux, a square located in the south-east city of Lyon.
And the scenes come just one month out from the World Cup – with French fans hoping the Real Madrid forward can fire them to a second successive trophy.
Benzema was not part of France’s World Cup-winning squad in 2018.
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He returned to the national team for last year’s European Championships, but Didier Deschamps’ men were eliminated by Switzerland in the last 16.
Yet despite Benzema’s stunning 12 months, France are not in good form heading to Qatar.
The world champions have won just one of their last six matches, losing to Croatia and Denmark twice.
And Deschamps’ side were decimated by injuries during last month’s international break.
Benzema, Adrien Rabiot, Kingsley Coman, N’Golo Kante, Paul Pogba, Boubacar Kamara, Ibrahima Konate, Lucas Digne, Presnel Kimpembe, Theo Hernandez and Hugo Lloris were all unavailable for selection.
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It leaves France with no time to formulate a coherent team, with an absence of warm-up matches before their first Group D game at the World Cup against Australia on November 22.
They have also been drawn in a group alongside Denmark and Tunisia – who they face on November 26 and November 30. More

SAMUEL GIGOT was sent off for a late tackle on Neymar last night… but his boss Igor Tudor claims he didn’t even touch him.Paris Saint-Germain hosted rivals Marseille in a feisty Classique at Parc des Princes.
Samuel Gigot’s challenge left Neymar curled up in a ballCredit: AFP
Gigot was shown a red card by Clement TurpinCredit: Rex
The incident sparked a furious meleeCredit: Reuters
The visitors went into the match reeling from last week’s shock home loss to Ajaccio which put a dent in their good start to the season.
Tudor’s side were a tough match for PSG, however, getting in their faces and looking to dominate possession.
But a cheap turnover by the under-par Amine Harit gifted PSG a golden opportunity to counter-attack on the stroke of half-time, with Neymar finishing off Kylian Mbappe’s pass to sweep the champions into the lead.
Marseille remained a threat in the second-half, but shot themselves in the foot with 20 minutes remaining.
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Gigot, who had replaced the injured Eric Bailly earlier in the second-half, absolutely flew into a challenge on Neymar in a position of little danger.
The Brazilian yelped in pain and curled up into a ball on the ground, with his pal Marquinhos subsequently booked for his role in the resulting 19-man melee between opposition players.
Referee Clement Turpin did not hesitate in flashing a red card at Gigot, with BT Sport analyst Clive Allen describing the challenge as “totally indisciplined” and “horrendous”.
While Gigot’s tackle was high and late, replays suggested that contact was actually minimal.
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After the match, Tudor said: “I didn’t see it, but I was told that he didn’t touch the player.
“I have to look at the pictures. If you give a red card because he touched him, that’s normal.
“But if it’s just to punish the intention, it’s a mistake.”
Marseille, featuring former Arsenal aces Matteo Guendouzi and Nuno Tavares, still tried to push for an equaliser with ten men, but were unable to break down PSG’s stubborn resistance.
The win saw Christophe Galtier’s side climb three points clear of surprise packages Lorient at the top of the table, and six ahead of fourth-placed Marseille.
After the match, Mbappe denied widespread reports that is unhappy and wants to leave in the winter transfer window.
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He said: “I have not asked to leave Paris Saint-Germain in January. I’m not furious with the club, it’s not true.”
Neymar, meanwhile, turned up to court in Barcelona this morning to stand trial on fraud and corruption charges.
Neymar and Kylian Mbappe celebrate linking up for PSG’s goalCredit: AFP More

WANTAWAY Kylian Mbappe teed up Neymar’s winner as PSG edged out 10-man Marseille in Le Classique to go 20 games unbeaten.Sub Samuel Gigot’s red card for a terrible two-footed challenge on Neymar ended Marseille’s fightback.
Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi help Neymar celebrate his PSG winnerCredit: Getty
PSG frontman Neymar slides the only goal past Marseille keeper Pau LopezCredit: AFP
Marseille’s early sub Samuel Gigot sparked fury with a challenge on Neymar that earned him a straight red card in PSG’s 1-0 triumphCredit: Reuters
PSG are now three points clear in Ligue 1 and undefeated all season.
Neymar steered strikepartner Mbappe’s low cross home on the brink of half-time after Marseille keeper Pau Lopez had regularly thwarted Christophe Galtier’s men.
PSG were often forced on the backfoot after that – until Gigot’s shameful exit on 72 minutes.
The home side bombarded the Marseille goal early on.
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Fit-again Lionel Messi forced Lopez into two low saves inside the first five minutes and Achraf Hakimi was also denied by the Spanish stopper.
Marseille regained their composure, but Lopez was again their hero when he blocked from Mbappe following Neymar’s quick break.
And finally Marco Verratti nipped in following sloppy Marseille play to reelase Mbappe, who fed Mbappe for a calm low opener
The visitors, though, dominated the early stages of the second period, led by Chancel Mbemba’s forward bursts.
But Marseille failed to create clear chances as they lacked a sharp edge up front.
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And PSG were already beginning to look more comfortable at the back by the time defender Gigot pointlessly and brutally felled Neymar, earning a straight red card.
A tired Marseille faded after that as PSG made it nine wins in 11 unbeaten Ligue 1 matches this season.
Neymar roars his approval as victory over Marseille put PSG three points clear of Lorient at the top of Ligue 1Credit: Reuters More