The legal battle between Kylian Mbappe and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) continues, with a preliminary court hearing set for February 23 regarding a French football league (LFP) decision in their ongoing dispute. The dispute, which involves claims of unpaid wages, bonuses, and damages, has escalated since Mbappe's departure to Real Madrid in the summer of 2024.
Mbappe and PSG have been at odds over alleged unpaid wages and other financial issues. Mbappe claims that PSG owes him €55 million in unpaid wages and bonuses from the final months of his contract. Beyond the unpaid wages, Mbappe is seeking a total of €263 million from the club. This larger sum is based on the argument that his fixed-term contract should be reclassified as a permanent one, which would entitle him to compensation for unfair dismissal, unpaid wages, bonuses, and severance pay. He also alleges "moral harassment" during his time at the club, citing instances where he was allegedly isolated from the main squad.
PSG, on the other hand, has presented a counter-claim of €180 million, citing "loss of opportunity" following Mbappe's rejection of a €300 million transfer offer from Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal in July 2023. The club argues that Mbappe acted disloyally by concealing his decision not to extend his contract for nearly 11 months, preventing them from arranging a transfer and causing major financial harm. PSG also claims that Mbappe had a verbal agreement to relinquish bonuses in order to return to the team after being sidelined for not extending his contract. The club further seeks compensation for breaches of good faith, as well as reputational and image damage. In a statement, PSG asserted that Mbappe challenged an agreement made in August 2023 that stipulated a salary reduction should he leave on a free transfer, which was intended to preserve the club's financial stability.
The total swing for either side could be as much as €440 million, depending on the result of the case. PSG claims Mbappé hid his decision not to extend his contract for nearly 11 months, preventing the club from arranging a transfer and causing major financial harm. They accuse him of violating contractual obligations and the principles of good faith and loyalty.
Mbappe's legal team insists that PSG has never produced evidence that the striker agreed to forego any payment. They claim the club failed to pay wages and bonuses for April, May, and June 2024 and are seeking reclassification of his fixed-term contract into a permanent one, which would trigger compensation.
The relationship between Mbappe and PSG soured when Mbappe decided not to extend his contract, which was set to expire in the summer of 2024. PSG claims that this decision deprived the club of a significant transfer fee, despite offering him a lucrative contract extension in 2022. He was subsequently sidelined from a preseason tour and forced to train with fringe players but returned to the lineup after discussions with the club. These talks are now central to the dispute.
The labor court hearing on Monday, November 17, saw both parties presenting their arguments. PSG released a statement affirming their position, stating that Mbappe acted "disloyally". Mbappe's legal team maintains that he is simply seeking the enforcement of his legal rights. The back-and-forth accusations highlight the deep rift between the player and his former club. The football world awaits the court's decision, which is expected in the coming weeks.
