Al Khelaifi (foto: Twitter)
Nasser Al Khelaifi wasted no time defending Ligue 1 after Paris Saint-Germain finally delivered a Champions League title. This trophy had long eluded the Qatari-owned club despite years of investment.
Buoyed by the triumph, Al Khelaifi fired back at critics who have often mocked Ligue 1 as a “peasant league,” especially fans from the Premier League. According to the PSG president, the French top division is more challenging than it is given credit for.
"It's easier to score goals in La Liga than in Ligue 1," said Al Khelaifi. "Luis Enrique proudly represented the French league and defended it against Premier League fans who described Ligue 1 as a peasant league. In the end, we beat Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool and Aston Villa."
The comments came shortly after PSG’s historic campaign, which saw them dispatch some of the Premier League’s top teams en route to their European glory. But critics were quick to note the flaws in Al Khelaifi's argument.
While PSG celebrated a dominant Champions League run, they also won Ligue 1 by a massive 19-point margin, despite rotating heavily in the final rounds. The lack of competition at the top is often pointed out as a weakness of the league rather than a strength.
PSG also outspend every French club by a wide margin, offering some of the highest wages in Europe. That financial dominance has translated into a lopsided domestic competition, making it difficult for rivals to mount a serious title challenge year after year.
Many have pointed out that success in Europe doesn’t directly reflect the strength of the league. While PSG's win was historic, it's hard to argue that other French clubs would fare as well in the Premier League or La Liga.
Al Khelaifi’s pride is understandable after finally conquering Europe, but the idea that Ligue 1 is harder than La Liga—or that beating English teams validates the league’s overall quality—remains a point of contention.