10 for João Neves - a history of L'Équipe's 10/10 Ligue 1 performances
Few have been awarded L'Équipe's 'perfect' 10 rating. In fact, only 18 have received the rating, and only two have earned it more than once. Lionel Messi has twice been rated 10, for a game against Arsenal back in 2010 and another against Bayer Leverkusen back in 2012.
Manchester City forward Erling Haaland has also managed to achieve the same feat twice, firstly against Manchester United back in 2022 and then against RB Leipzig in 2023.
No L'Équipe 10s in Ligue 1 McDonald's in 20th centruy
10 ratings in Ligue 1 McDonald's are extremely rare. There were none in the 20th century, even if Aarhus' Lars Windfeld did pull of the feat against Nantes in a European tie. It was not until 2014 and a match between OGC Nice and Guingamp that L'Équipe attributed its first 10 in a Ligue 1 McDonald's tie. He received the score after netting an incredible five goals in a 7-2 win for Le Gym.
No player in any league would receive the score for another four years, when Neymar Jr. did so for Paris Saint-Germain against Dijon in 2018. The Brazilian, who still remains the most expensive player of all-time, ran riot against Dijon, netting four and registering a further two assists in an 8-0 Dijon demolition.
A historical performance by João Neves! 🇵🇹✨ pic.twitter.com/qwOo2PHSxF
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) August 30, 2025
It is a former Parisien, Kylian Mbappé, who earned the rating back in 2021, however, he did so whilst playing for Les Bleus against Kazakhstan. Like Neymar, the former Monaco man earned the score by netting four goals, also in an 8-0 win.
Goalkeepers shine against PSG
Recently, 10 scores have been reserved for games in which PSG have been involved. Two goalkeeping performances have stolen the spotlight. There was firstly the excellent goalkeeping display from Alban Lafont, playing for Nantes at the time, back in 2022. The former France youth international managed to shut out a formidable 'MNM' (Lionel Messi, Neymar Jr, Mbappé), who had nine shots at the goalkeeper, without managing to beat him.
It was another goalkeeping performance, this time from Auxerre No.1 Donovan Leon, which took the spotlight last season. It was a backs-to-the-wall scenario for L'AJA, with Leon having to pull off no fewer than 11 saves in the 0-0 draw against the eventual champions.
PSG dominate in recent times
European champions PSG have earned L'Équipe's last two perfect 10 ratings. The first was earned by Désiré Doué for his two goals against Inter Milan in June's Champions League final in Munich. It was a defining, coming-of-age moment for the France international, who was flawless as PSG lifted the Champions League trophy for the first time, thanks to a 5-0 win.
João Neves crazy hat-trick 🤯 pic.twitter.com/kB7HDYSuUc
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) August 31, 2025
And on Saturday, it was the turn of João Neves. His hat-trick against Toulouse is perhaps the finest that Ligue 1 McDonald's has ever seen. His first goal was a bicycle kick, which was a feat repeated just seven minutes later. The Portugal international completed his hat-trick with a driven shot into the top corner, leaving Guillaume Restes with no chance. It was a decisive performance from Neves, who ensured the 6-3 win, as well as a place on L'Équipe's elite list.
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