Ligue 1 between success, conflicts, and tributes: the burning news of French football

French football is buzzing this summer of 2025, blending commercial successes, poignant tributes, and on-field records. At the heart of the news, the new dedicated channel Ligue 1 +, launched by the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP), has made a sensational start, already attracting over 600,000 subscribers in its first broadcast weekend. This impressive success, comparable to DAZN’s best early statistics in France, comes amid tensions as Canal +, the historic broadcaster of French football, still refuses to air the channel.

The standoff between Ligue 1 + and Canal +

Behind Ligue 1 +’s apparent success lies a major political and economic saga. Canal + and the LFP attempted behind-the-scenes negotiations to reach a non-exclusive distribution deal, allowing Canal subscribers to access the new platform via an additional subscription at the same price as on Amazon Prime Video. However, talks collapsed, blocked by a long-standing legal dispute worth hundreds of millions of euros dating back to the Mediapro fiasco. Nicolas de Tavernost, CEO of LFP Media, illustrated the conflict by stating: « You separate from your wife, then reconcile. She won’t keep asking for alimony, will she? For Canal, it’s a bit the same thing. » Despite this failure, he assures that « the door remains wide open for Canal » if conditions change. In the meantime, Ligue 1 + relies on partners such as Free, Bouygues, Orange, SFR, Amazon, and DAZN, benefiting from strong club and subscriber engagement.

A vibrant tribute to Razak Omotoyossi, African legend and former Ligue 1 star

The football world mourns the tragic loss of Razak Omotoyossi, who passed away at just 39 years old. A former star striker for FC Metz and an iconic figure in African football, Omotoyossi left his mark with his talent and passion. Prolific with Benin, he scored 21 goals in 55 appearances, etching his name in his country’s sporting history. His former clubs, including Helsingborgs IF and Syrianska FC, paid emotional tributes. This sudden loss has sparked a wave of emotion across European and African football, reminding us of the lasting impact of this extraordinary player.

AS Monaco celebrates 1,100 Ligue 1 wins

On the sporting front, AS Monaco achieved a historic milestone by reaching the symbolic mark of 1,100 Ligue 1 victories. This feat was accomplished in their 3-1 win over Le Havre, a symbolic opponent since Monaco’s first-ever top-flight win came on September 13, 1953, also against Le Havre. After nearly 72 years of history and 2,439 matches played, Monaco now ranks second in all-time Ligue 1 wins, behind only Olympique de Marseille. The club from the Rock also boasts one of the best win rates, just behind Paris Saint-Germain. Monaco’s trophy cabinet includes memorable victories, such as a resounding 9-0 win over Bordeaux in 1985-1986 and a record 30 wins in a single season (2016-2017), tied with PSG.

PSG writes history by winning the 2025 Champions League

Finally, Paris Saint-Germain shone on the European stage by securing its first UEFA Champions League title on May 31, 2025, with a stunning 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in the final in Munich. This score is the largest margin ever recorded in a Champions League final. Désiré Doué, named Man of the Match, made history by becoming the first player to provide three decisive contributions in a single Champions League final. Beyond this exceptional sporting achievement, the victory opens up new opportunities for PSG, including the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup. The club will also receive a massive financial windfall, estimated at over €148 million for the 2024-2025 season. While the joy of the fans resonated across France, it was tragically marred by incidents that resulted in two deaths and nearly 200 injuries.

Ligue 1 is thus experiencing a historic moment, where commercial and sporting successes intertwine, while economic tensions and painful tributes linger. The passion of French football, as vibrant as ever, promises more thrilling emotions for the rest of the season and beyond.