The legal battle between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Kylian Mbappé intensified on Monday, with both parties presenting staggering financial claims in an industrial court.
Mbappé, who did not attend the hearing, is demanding over €260 million ($283 million) from PSG. He argues that his fixed-term contract should be reclassified as permanent, entitling him to compensation for unpaid wages, bonuses, severance, and alleged moral harassment. His legal team stated, “Kylian Mbappé is not asking for anything beyond what the law provides; he is simply seeking the enforcement of his legal rights, as any employee would.”
PSG, in response, has filed a counterclaim totaling €440 million, including €180 million for the “loss of opportunity” to transfer the striker after he declined a €300 million offer from Saudi club Al-Hilal in July 2023. The club is also seeking damages for alleged breaches of good faith, contract performance, and reputational harm.
The dispute traces back to Mbappé’s departure to Real Madrid in the summer of 2024, following a record seven-year stint at PSG during which he scored 256 goals. PSG maintains that there was a verbal agreement with Mbappé regarding bonuses in exchange for his return to the team before the 2023-24 season. The club claims he concealed his decision not to extend his contract for nearly 11 months, depriving PSG of the chance to arrange a transfer. Mbappé’s camp denies any such agreement existed.
Mbappé has also accused PSG of “lofting,” a practice in France where a player is isolated from the main squad for sporting, administrative, or disciplinary reasons. PSG rejected these claims, noting that he participated in more than 94% of official matches during the 2023-24 season under conditions compliant with the Professional Football Charter.
The court is expected to deliver a ruling next month, marking a critical chapter in one of football’s most high-profile contract disputes.
