A Paris labor court has ruled that Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) must pay Kylian Mbappé over €60 million (approximately $70 million) in unpaid wages and bonuses. This decision arises from a lengthy legal dispute concerning the terms of Mbappé’s contract prior to his anticipated move to Real Madrid in 2024. The ruling was delivered on October 3, 2023, following arguments presented last month before the Conseil de prud’hommes de Paris.
The court sided with Mbappé amidst serious allegations of betrayal and harassment related to the breakdown of his relationship with PSG. Mbappé’s legal representatives had claimed that the club owed him over €260 million (around $305 million), while PSG countered with a demand for €440 million in damages, citing a significant “loss of opportunity” after he left on a free transfer.
The court’s decision can be appealed, indicating that the legal battle is far from over. In a statement following the ruling, Mbappé’s representatives emphasized that the court has reaffirmed the necessity of honoring contractual commitments. They stated, “It restores a simple truth: Even in the professional football industry, labor law applies to everyone.” PSG has yet to respond to the ruling publicly.
The relationship between Mbappé and PSG soured when he opted not to extend his contract, which was set to expire in summer 2024. This decision deprived PSG of a substantial transfer fee, despite the club having previously offered him the most lucrative contract in its history in 2022. Following his decision, Mbappé was excluded from the preseason tour and had to train separately from the main squad, missing the opening league match. He eventually returned to the lineup after negotiations, which have become a central aspect of the ongoing dispute.
PSG accused Mbappé of reneging on an agreement made in August 2023, which allegedly included a pay reduction should he depart on a free transfer. The club claimed that Mbappé concealed his intention not to extend his contract for nearly 11 months, from July 2022 to June 2023. This delay reportedly hindered PSG’s ability to facilitate a transfer, causing significant financial repercussions. PSG contended that this behavior violated contractual obligations and the principles of good faith and loyalty.
In response, Mbappé’s camp asserted that PSG has not provided any evidence to support claims that he agreed to forgo payments. His lawyers argued that the club failed to pay wages and bonuses for the months of April, May, and June 2024. They stated, “Mbappé scrupulously fulfilled his sporting and contractual obligations for seven years and right up to the final day.” They also noted that he attempted to resolve the matter amicably, even withdrawing a harassment complaint.
PSG has vehemently denied allegations of harassment, maintaining that Mbappé participated in over 94% of matches during the 2023-24 season and complied with the conditions outlined in the Professional Football Charter. The club’s claim for €440 million in damages included €180 million for the lost opportunity to transfer Mbappé, who ultimately declined a €300 million offer from the club in July 2023.
Following the conclusion of this legal saga, Mbappé is set to join Real Madrid in the summer of 2024 on a free transfer, after having scored a remarkable 256 goals in seven years with PSG. The club won the league title this year, although it did so without their star player, highlighting the complex and contentious nature of this high-profile dispute in professional football.
