A labor court in Paris ruled on Tuesday that Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) is required to pay over €60 million ($70 million) to Kylian Mbappé as part of a dispute regarding unpaid wages and bonuses related to the termination of his contract prior to his 2024 transfer to Real Madrid.
In hearings last month at the Conseil de prud’hommes de Paris, significant allegations were presented as the court ruled in favor of the player amidst claims of betrayal and harassment concerning the fallout from his relationship with PSG.
Mbappé’s legal team argued that PSG owed him in excess of €260 million ($305 million), while the club countered by seeking €440 million from Mbappé, citing damages and a “loss of opportunity” stemming from his departure as a free agent.
This ruling can be appealed and is likely not to resolve the ongoing conflict.
Mbappé’s representatives stated that the ruling affirms the importance of honoring commitments and reiterates a fundamental truth: labor law applies universally, even in professional football.
PSG has not yet responded to the ruling.
The relationship soured between the 2018 World Cup champion and the reigning European champions when Mbappé opted not to extend his contract in 2023, which was due to expire in summer 2024.
This decision deprived PSG of a substantial transfer fee, despite the club having previously offered him the richest contract in its history when he renewed his deal in 2022. Mbappé missed the preseason tour and was relegated to training with fringe players, missing the opening match of the league season before eventually returning to the squad following negotiations with PSG—talks that are crucial to the current dispute.
PSG accused Mbappé of reneging on an agreement made in August 2023, which reportedly included a salary reduction if he chose to leave on a free transfer, an arrangement purportedly designed to preserve the club’s financial stability.
Furthermore, PSG alleged that Mbappé concealed his decision not to renew his contract for nearly 11 months, from July 2022 until June 2023, hindering the club’s ability to facilitate a transfer and causing considerable financial damage. The club accused him of breaching contractual obligations and failing to adhere to the principles of good faith and loyalty.
In contrast, Mbappé’s camp contended that PSG has not provided evidence that he agreed to forgo any payments. His legal representatives claimed the club failed to disburse wages and bonuses for April, May, and June 2024.
“Mbappé has meticulously fulfilled his sporting and contractual obligations throughout his seven-year tenure right up to the final day,” they asserted. “He did everything possible to prevent litigation, even withdrawing a harassment complaint as a gesture of goodwill. In total, he has been seeking payment of his salaries and bonuses for over 18 months.”
PSG refuted all harassment allegations and emphasized that Mbappé participated in over 94% of matches during the 2023-24 season and always complied with the Professional Football Charter.
PSG’s claims totaled €440 million in damages, which included €180 million for the lost chance to transfer Mbappé after he turned down a €300 million offer from Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal in July 2023.
Mbappé eventually joined Real Madrid on a free transfer in the summer of 2024 after netting a club record 256 goals in seven years with PSG, who won the Champions League title that year without him.