On the brink of lifting Ligue 1, the French club has endured a rough season, shadowed by controversy and uneven performances.
The national title feels almost wrapped up. Paris Saint-Germain will likely satisfy the bare minimum on Saturday when their title defense appears set to conclude.
To be fair, the league 1 competition has more bite than it gets credit for these days. PSG should dominate the league each year, but this division is not a cakewalk. Being the top team does not mean beating the other 19 every single time.
Still, even with the credit PSG earns, this season has lacked stability. The Parisians are ready to cross the finish line, carrying an exhausted and underwhelming squad since the turn of the year. What should have been a confident double-digit win streak now looks far less impressive. PSG is likely to drop more points than league runner-up Lens and will post a weaker defensive record than Nice, which sits ninth.
For any other club, these would be modest missteps. But for PSG, a nation-state-backed marketing behemoth, flaws are scrutinized. This year has seen a series of disappointments: a new manager who has fallen short, top players underperforming and sometimes vanishing when needed most. Meanwhile, tensions among a growingly frustrated fanbase have boiled over across headlined moments and social chatter.
GOAL explains why what looks like a successful season can still feel bitter for those following the team in the French capital…