PSG finished only one point clear of Lens after the home loss to Clermont, which also marked Lionel Messi's farewell match for the club. Sergio Ramos also played his last game for PSG. Paris Saint Germain lost the game 3-2 on Saturday. Kylian Mbappe won a record fifth-straight French golden boot award. Mbappe's goal against Clermont finished his league tally on 29 and made him the top scorer for the fifth time.
Kylian Mbappe won the Golden Boot but PSG lost their last Ligue 1 game
French champion PSG and second-placed Lens qualified for the group stage while third-placed Marseille earned a spot in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League. Messi was booed before kickoff. PSG led 2-0 after a header from the departing Sergio Ramos and a penalty from Mbappe. Mbappe celebrated by holding up a shirt with Sergio Rico's name on it. Rico, the PSG backup goalkeeper, was seriously injured after getting hit by a loose horse in Spain last Sunday. Clermont leveled before halftime with goals from Johan Gatien and Mehdi Zeffane. Grejohn Kyei scored the winner by converting a cross in the 63rd.
"We really needed to pay a tribute to Sergio," Mbappe told Canal Plus television. "I think we are all affected. It's a situation that is extremely grave. That was on our minds the whole week. We will pray, and we will send a maximum of positive vibes so that he can get out of that situation as quickly as possible."
The European Golden Boot or European Golden Shoe is awarded annually to the leading goal scorer in league matches in the top divisions of European football. First awarded in 1968, this prestigious honour is judged on a points-based system.
The winner is not simply the player with the most goals in the season. There is a weighting system where the goals scored in the top-ranked leagues are worth more. Players from the five highest ranked leagues according to UEFA (based on results of each league's clubs in European competition over the previous five seasons) get 2 points per scored goal, leagues ranked 6-22 get 1.5 points per goal and the remaining leagues get 1 point per goal.
The top five ranked leagues in 2022 were Germany, Spain, England, Italy, and France. The winners usually come from the top-ranked leagues.
Historical Overview
Between 1968 and 1991, the award was given by L'Équipe to the highest goalscorer in any European league. Between 1991 and 1996 there were no official awards given to the top goal scorers, but the leading goalscorer for those years have since been recognized.
Since the 1996–97 season, the award, given by European Sports Media, has used a weighted points system.
Most Golden Boots win
Lionel Messi has won the European Golden Boot a record six times (2009-10, 2011-12, 2012-13, 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19). The next closest is Cristiano Ronaldo with four (2007-08, 2010-11, 2013-14, 2014-15).
Let's take a look at the most Golden Boots win in football history.
Who is leading the 2024-25 European Golden Boot race?
Kylian Mbappe is leading the race for the 2024-25 European Golden Boot. However, players like Viktor Gyökeres, Mohamed Salah and a few others are also in race.
The European leagues are up and running and we have already witnessed some great encounters between the top European teams. The hunt to win the European Golden Boot is also taking shape for the 2024-25 season.
Some big names from the Top five European leagues are already in full swing and they are scoring loads of goals to clinch the coveted annual award for the highest goalscorer in Europe. However, some young and talented players have enlisted themselves in the charts as well; even from outside of the top five European leagues.
Sportzpoint brings you all the details about the leading goalscorers in the top five European leagues, details of the UEFA League ranking, and the leading goalscorers competing for the 2024-25 European Golden Boot.
The European Golden Boot Race
Bayern forward Harry Kane won the 2023-24 Golden Boot. (Image Credit | SuperSport))
The Golden Boot is awarded by European Sports Media (ESM) which is a unified association of Football Magazine publications such as Marca, Kicker, La Gazzetta dello Sport, Frankfurter AZ, etc. They took over since 1996-97 season and started a new ranking system based on the position of the league for the respective players.
The UEFA coefficient ranking is considered a measure for weighting points, with the principle being to acknowledge players who score in leagues of higher quality according to rankings, which makes it tougher to find the back of the net.
The number of goals scored in the top five leagues of Europe are counted with a multiplier of two, while those from leagues ranked six to 21 receive a 1.5 multiplier, and goals from all other leagues are counted as one.
This is how the points system works.
⚽️🏆 Players with the Most European Golden Boot Wins:
🇦🇷 Lionel Messi: 6 🇵🇹 Cristiano Ronaldo: 4 🇺🇾 Luis Suarez: 2 🇫🇷 Thierry Henry: 2 🇵🇱 Robert Lewandowski: 2
The Ultimate European Golden Boot Race (Among the top 10 European Leagues according to UEFA coefficient rankings)
Considering the players from the top 10 European leagues in this list, this is what the current race of chasing the 2024-25 European Golden Boot looks like:
Real Madrid players Toni Kroos, Dani Carvajal, Luka Modric and Nacho have equalled Paco Gento's record for most Champions League titles as a player. All of them have won six European Cup/Champions League titles.
The Champions League has always been a huge honour for any team. Teams like Real Madrid have won the trophy as many as 15 times while AC Milan, FC Barcelona, Ajax and Bayern Munich have won found success in Europe's biggest club competition.
As a result, the players from such elite teams as Real Madrid, Barcelona, Ajax, and AC Milan dominate the charts of players with the most Champions League titles.
Players who have won the most Champions League titles
Paco Gento was the first player to win six European Cup/Champions League titles as a player.
Iconic Real Madrid left-winger Paco Gento used to hold the record for the most Champions League titles by a player. He has won six trophies in his 18 years at the Santiago Bernabeu.
However, Real Madrid legends Toni Kroos, Dani Carvajal, Luka Modric andNacho have equalled his record and became the only players to win six Champions League titles in the UCL era.
Former Real Madrid, Juventus and Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo is tied up at 5 UCL titles with players like Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Costacurta and Larence Seedorf as well as other Real Madrid giants in Hector Rial and Marquitos, Lucas Vázquez, Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and a few others.
PSG vs Arsenal UEFA Champions League 2024-25 Semi-final Highlights: PSG knockout Arsenal by 2-1 (3-1 agg) to set a date with Inter in final
Get the highlights of PSG vs Arsenal UEFA Champions League 2024-25 Semi-final second leg match at the Parc des Princes in Paris as PSG knocked out Arsenal by 3-1 on aggregate to qualify for their second Champions League final ever.
Hello and welcome to another exciting evening of UEFA Champions League football. This is Koushik Biswas, who will bring you all the updates of the PSG vs Arsenal UEFA Champions League 2024-25 Semi-final second leg match at the Parc des Princes in Paris.
Meanwhile, Arsenal looked good in spells but could not convert their chances to level with PSG at their home. But with only one goal deficit, this game is far from over.
With both teams not tasting European success in their history, they will not want to miss the chance to qualify for the final.
So, sit back and relax as we bring you every minute update of the match. Enjoy the coverage.
LIVE Updates
May 7, 2025, 7:01 PM
LIVE Score!
May 7, 2025, 9:11 PM
Final thoughts!
Arsenal dominated the first 15 minutes, but after that, it was all about PSG at their home.
Luis Enrique has done a tremendous job with PSG and created leaders in different positions.
Donnarumma has been a beast under the post. Hakimi, with 21 goal contributions, is now one of the best. Vitniha, Neves and Marquinhos are one of the best in their positions as well.
Dembele is running for a potential Ballon d'Or finish. So, the credit should go to Enrique for all his efforts.
Arsenal had their chances, but they failed to take them. Saka did score but missed one as well.
So, it will be Inter Milan vs PSG in the final in Munich. Thank you for staying up with us.
Good night, and I will see you on 1st June in the final. Till then, take care and enjoy football.
Arsenal dominated the first 15 minutes of the game. But saves from Donnarumma made sure PSG did not concede any before Fabian Ruiz scored a screamer to hand PSG the lead.
Will Arsenal be able to make a match out of it, like Barcelona did last night?
Or, PSG are heading to Munich?
We'll see that after the break.
May 7, 2025, 7:48 PM
45+1' | Hakimi with the block
Rice and Odegaard linked up with Saka for a portable chance before the first half whistle.
Saka's cross was cleared away by Hakimi.
May 7, 2025, 7:47 PM
45' | 2 minutes added
2 minutes have been added as stoppage time.
May 7, 2025, 7:46 PM
45' | Lewis-Skelly is down
Barcola's powerful shot hit Lewis-Skelly hard. He is down in pain and we have a stoppage.
May 7, 2025, 7:46 PM
44' | Ruiz does the defensive work
Saka went through Mendes, and Rice nearly met with the pass. But, Ruiz was there to clear it out and create another counter attack for PSG.
May 7, 2025, 7:44 PM
41' | Chance for Arsenal
Saka's cross was left alone by Merino, hoping that someone from his team would connect with it in the far post.
But, no red shirt was there to receive the ball.
May 7, 2025, 7:43 PM
41' | Not good enough from Timber
Timber went for a cross from the right, but Pacho was there to clear the ball with a header.
Arsenal are trying but PSG are looking like the team in control.
May 7, 2025, 7:41 PM
Ouucchh!
5 - Since the start of April, no Premier League side has conceded more goals from set plays (excl. pens) in all competitions than Arsenal (5, level with Ipswich Town). Turnabout. pic.twitter.com/3PKwUNxCB8
Almost time for PSG v Arsenal. No Dembele for the hosts with Doue expected to play through the middle. Thomas Partey returns in midfield for the visitors pic.twitter.com/Z3lz3W2Rgl
In the first semi-final, Inter Milan knocked out FC Barcelona by 7-6 in a Champions League classic match. Inter now have qualified for the final for the second time in last three seasons.
Football fans from India can watch the PSG vs Arsenal UEFA Champions League 2024-25 Semi-final second leg match LIVE on Sony Sports Network TV Channels.
Meantime, they can also stream the match LIVE on Sony LIV app and website.
May 7, 2025, 10:13 AM
Match Details
Match: PSG vs Arsenal, UEFA Champions League 2024-25, Semi-final, second leg
PSG VS Arsenal: Head to Head stats in UEFA Champions League
With PSG leading 1-0 against Arsenal in the first leg of this year's UEFA Champions League semi-final, let's take a look at the previous encounters between the two teams.
Ousmane Dembele scored the lone goal in the first leg of the 2024-25 Champions League Semi-Final.
In the 2024–25 UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg, PSG edged past Arsenal with a narrow 1-0 victory at the Emirates Stadium.
Ousmane Dembele was the lone goal scorer, scoring the decisive goal in the 4th minute to give PSG a crucial advantage heading into the second leg. The match was close, with both teams having chances, but PSG’s strong defense and fast attacks gave them the edge.
Arsenal 2-0 PSG | 2024-25 Group Stage
Kai Havertz scored a goal at 20 minutes giving an early lead to Arsenal. Image | Sportstar
In the 2024–25 UEFA Champions League group stage, Arsenal earned a confident 2-0 win over PSG at the Emirates Stadium.
It was a strong performance from the Gunners, who showed control and composure throughout the match. Goals from Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka secured the 3 points and marked Arsenal’s first Champions League win of the season.
Edinson Cavani Scored in the 1st minute to give PSG an early lead over Arsenal. Image | UEFA
In the first leg of the 2016–17 Champions League group stage, PSG and Arsenal drew 1-1 at the Parc des Princes.
PSG scored early with a 1 minute goal from Edinson Cavani, but Arsenal equalized in the second half through Alexis Sanchez. Both teams had chances, but couldn’t find a winner.
There match was a bit of late drama, as Olivier Giroud and Marco Verratti were both sent off in stoppage time.
Arsenal 2-2 PSG | 2016-17 Group Stage 2nd Leg
Oliver Giroud celebrating his goal in the 1st half of the game. Image | The Independent
In the second leg of the 2016–17 Champions League group stage, Arsenal and PSG drew 2-2 at the Emirates Stadium.
Both teams had already qualified for the next round, but were still competing for first place in the group. Cavani scored providing PSG the lead, but Arsenal came back with a penalty from Oliver Giroud and an own goal from Verratti to go ahead. A late own goal from Iwobi leveled the match.
The draw kept both teams unbeaten, with Arsenal finishing top of the group on goal difference.