Why PSG lifted Ligue One title before warm-up in most bizarre trophy lift in history

Paris Saint-Germain had one of the most bizarre trophy presentations of all-time on Sunday night when they lifted the Ligue One title pre-match.

Luis Enrique's men secured a fifth Ligue One title on the trot after a 2-0 win over RC Lens on Wednesday.

PSG only needed a draw to win the league but Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ibrahim Mbaye both struck to be crowned champions with a game to spare.

The European champions returned to the French capital for their final game of the season, taking on Paris FC at the nearby Stade Jean-Bouin for a second consecutive away game.

However, eyebrows were raised when the team had their title celebrations before the derby fixture.

With most of the ground empty, the entire squad came over to the away section, where there were around 1,000 fans.

There was no podium Captain Marquinhos proudly hoisted the trophy aloft to mark PSG's 14th Ligue One triumph, days before their second successive Champions League final when they take on Arsenal.

🔴🔵 Before PSG play their rivals Paris FC away from home, they lifted the Ligue 1 trophy! 🏆✅ pic.twitter.com/PxWnzVv7ai

— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) May 17, 2026

Why did PSG lift the Ligue One title pre-match?

According to a report from L'Equipe, the LFP (Professional Football League) had asked for Paris FC to stage the trophy lift after the game.

This was prior to the title being secured mathematically and there was immediate hesitation from the opponents as they already had plans to mark their final home game of the campaign with tributes to departing players and a firework displays.

The reports notes that everyone within the club thought it was "not a good idea".

In addition, Paris police refused to grant permission for PSG to lift the trophy at their home stadium - the Parc Des Princes.

Therefore the workaround was to do the trophy lift before the game got underway - breaking all types of footballing traditions. In a truly unprecedented scenario, PSG did the trophy lift and then proceeded to warm up for the game.

They have also received an invite for festivities at Paris City Hall but it will up to Enrique whether PSG attend

PSG were dealt a major blow in the game though as with the Champions League final looming, Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele was forced off with an injury in the first half of a rare Ligue One start.

They were held to a 1-1 draw, with Bradley Barcola on the scoresheet before his strike was cancelled out by Alimami Gory.