Le Classique (aka The Classic) is the fierce rivalry between the two most successful clubs in France, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Marseille.
In the 1970s, PSG versus Marseille was a lopsided battle, with the latter almost always coming out on top. The rivalry began to take shape after PSG’s first Ligue 1 title win in 1986, growing in intensity every year since. In recent years, PSG have thoroughly dominated, losing just one time in their last 11 meetings.
On Sunday, 16 March, Ligue 1 leaders PSG claimed their El Classique victory, beating Marseille 3-1 at the Parc des Princes and going 19 points clear of them in the title race. Ousmane Dembele and Nuno Mendes scored one goal each for Les Parisiens while Marseille substitute Pol Lirola hit the back of his own net. Amine Gouiri scored Marseille’s consolation goal.
+19 ‼️#PSGOM I #LeClassique pic.twitter.com/9V3qDhxxq3
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_inside) March 16, 2025
Over the years, many great players have participated in this rivalry, chipped in with decisive goals. Having seen Dembele and Co. work their magic in the latest Le Classique, we have decided to take a look at the rivalry’s best-ever performers.
Here are the top 10 highest scorers in Le Classique history.
#10 Andre Ayew (Marseille): 4 Goals
Kicking off the list is former Marseille star Andre Ayew. The Ghanaian international scored four times in 12 outings against PSG across competitions. He faced PSG nine times in the league, scoring four times and providing an assist. His remaining three appearances came in cups — Coupe de France, Coupe de La Ligue, and Trophee des Champions.
Ayew’s last Le Classique appearance arrived on Matchday 31 of the 2014-15 season. He saw an indirect red card as Marseille suffered a 3-2 defeat.
#9 Mustapha Dahleb (PSG): 4 Goals
PSG legend Mustapha Dahleb had a habit of scoring in Le Classiques, with him finding the back of the net four times in 11 games. All of Dahleb’s goals came in the French top flight.
Dahleb, who was at PSG between 1974 and 1984, won four of those matches, lost five, and drew two.
Dahleb’s last Le Classique, however, ended in jubilation. The left-winger put in a solid shift as PSG came away with a 2-0 victory on Matchday 20 of the 1979-80 season.
#8 Francois M’Pele (PSG): 4 Goals
Wearing PSG’s recognizable colours, Francois M’Pele scored four goals against Marseille in Le Classiques. The former Congo international scored two goals in nine Ligue 1 appearances. He added another couple in two Coupe de France meetings with Marseille. During his run with PSG, M’Pele won three Classiques, suffered six defeats, and shared spoils on two occasions.
In M’Pele’s final Le Classique, on Matchday 13 of the 1978-79 season, PSG suffered a 4-1 defeat.
#7 Josip Skoblar (Marseille): 4 Goals
Former Yugoslavian centre-forward Josip Skoblar hit the back of the net four times in three games against PSG. All of his strikes arrived in Ligue 1.
Skoblar won all of the three matches he played against Les Parisiens, with the last one coming on Matchday 11 of the 1974-75 season. He scored a fine brace as Les Phoceens claimed a 4-2 victory.
#6 Angel Di Maria (PSG): 5 Goals
One of the most creative wingers the game has ever seen, Angel Di Maria greatly helped PSG in their brushes with Marseille. The Argentine genius hit the back of the net five times in 15 appearances for the Parisians between 2015 and 2022. Di Maria scored five goals and claimed four assists in 12 Ligue 1 games and netted twice and provided an assist in two Coupe de France matches. The 2022 FIFA World Cup winner also celebrated a Trophee des Champions victory against Marseille.
Di Maria’s last dance in Le Classique came on Matchday 11 of the 2021-22 season. He played for over just an hour as the two rivals played out a goalless draw.
#5 Herve Flores (Marseille): 5 Goals
Marseille legend Herve Flores was a handful in Le Classiques, scoring five goals in 10 meetings with PSG across competitions. All five of his goals — from seven games — came in the French top flight. Between 1975 and 1981, he celebrated four wins and suffered two defeats against PSG.
Flores’ last appearance against PSG as a Marseille player came on Matchday 2 of the 1979-80 season. The attacker cut a frustrating figure as Les Phoceens suffered a 2-1 defeat.
#4 Pauleta (PSG): 6 Goals
Former Portuguese centre-forward Pauleta delivered some fine performances in Le Classiques, scoring six times in 11 appearances across competitions. Pauleta scored five goals in nine Ligue 1 outings and added one to his tally in two Coupe de France games between 2003 and 2008.
Pauleta, who also faced Marseille as a Bordeaux player, played his last Le Classique on Matchday 25 of the 2007-08 Ligue 1 season. He played 22 minutes as the capital club lost 2-1.
#3 Edinson Cavani (PSG): 7 Goals
In third place, we have former PSG sharpshooter Edinson Cavani. The Uruguayan, who is still going strong at 38, scored seven goals against Marseille in 13 outings across competitions. He scored five times in the league in 11 games and added two more in as many Coupe de France outings.
During his stay with the Parisians between 2013 and 2020, Cavani did not lose a single Le Classique, winning 11 and drawing two.
Cavani last graced Le Classique on Matchday 11 of the 2019-20 season. Coming off the bench, Cavani played for 19 minutes as his team nicked a 4-0 victory.
#2 Kylian Mbappe (PSG): 9 Goals
French superstar Kylian Mbappe scored nine goals in PSG vs Marseille between 2017 and 2024. The Real Madrid frontman scored nine goals and provided two assists in 12 Ligue 1 matches. He also faced them once in Trophee des Champions and another time in Coupe de France. He, however, could not get on the scoresheet in either game.
Mbappe’s final Le Classique came on Matchday 27 of the 2023-24 Ligue 1 season. The 26-year-old could not score or assist, but PSG came away with a 2-0 win.
#1 Zlatan Ibrahimovic (PSG): 11 Goals
At the summit sits one of the finest goalscorers the game has ever seen, the legendary Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The PSG legend scored 11 goals in Le Classique in 10 appearances across competitions between 2012 and 2016. The Swede scored seven goals in eight Ligue 1 games and the remaining four in two Coupe de France matches. The former Barcelona man enjoyed an unbeaten run against Marseille, winning 10 games and drawing once.
Ibrahimovic’s final Le Classique appearance came in the Coupe de France final in May 2016. He scored an excellent brace and provided an assist as Les Parisiens cruised to a 4-2 win.
