A French labour court has ruled that Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) must pay its former striker, Kylian Mbappé, a total of €60 million (£52.5 million) in unpaid wages and bonuses, bringing partial closure to a bitter contractual dispute between the French forward and his former club.
The case, which has drawn widespread attention across Europe, stems from a prolonged financial disagreement that arose during Mbappé’s final months at PSG before his free transfer to Real Madrid in the summer of 2024.
Mbappé, 26, had sued PSG for €263 million (£231.5 million), claiming the club withheld salary payments and contractual bonuses while also seeking compensation for what he described as ill-treatment during his final season in Paris.
PSG, for their part, had countersued the France captain, demanding €240 million (£211 million) in damages linked to the collapse of a record €300 million transfer to Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal in 2023, a deal that would have been the most expensive in football history.
Court Awards Partial Settlement
After reviewing the evidence, the court found that PSG had failed to pay three months of Mbappé’s salary, covering April to June 2024, as well as a pending ethics bonus and a signing bonus stipulated in his contract.
“We are satisfied with this ruling. This is what you could expect when salaries went unpaid,” said Mbappé’s lawyer, Frederique Cassereau, following the decision.
While the €60 million award represents only a fraction of the €263 million originally sought by Mbappé, the court’s verdict nonetheless marks a significant victory for the French international, confirming that PSG had breached certain contractual obligations.
A Tumultuous End to a Storied Tenure
The ruling underscores the acrimonious breakdown of relations between Mbappé and PSG, despite the forward’s pivotal role in the club’s success during his seven-year spell in Paris.
Tensions reached a peak in 2023 when PSG excluded Mbappé from first-team activities after he refused to trigger a contract extension clause, a move widely interpreted as pressure for him to accept the Al-Hilal offer.
Mbappé ultimately saw out his contract before joining Real Madrid on a free transfer in July 2024, fulfilling a long-anticipated move to the Spanish capital.
Financial and Reputational Fallout
For PSG, the ruling represents both a financial setback and a public relations challenge, highlighting internal tensions surrounding player contracts and fiscal management.
Legal experts note that the court’s decision could influence future negotiations between top clubs and star players, particularly in the wake of growing disputes over image rights, loyalty bonuses, and transfer clauses in elite football.
Mbappé, now thriving at Real Madrid, has yet to comment publicly on the judgment, which may still be subject to appeal by PSG.
