A Paris labour court has awarded Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) almost $350 million in damages owed to former player Kylian Mbappe. He will be compensated with a payment of 60 million euros – roughly 70.6 million dollars – in back salary and bonuses. The ruling follows a legal battle ignited by Mbappe’s departure from the club. He further asserted that PSG had withheld from him his salary for the remaining months of April, May, and June of 2024.
The case has come to stand for one of the most fiery disputes in French football history. Mbappe, who left PSG to join Real Madrid on a free transfer, contended that his fixed-term contract was not treated as permanent by the club, which limited potential compensation regarding his dismissal and notice pay. The court’s unusual decision has now, at least temporarily, brought a partial close to this high-profile and long-running dispute.
Background of the Dispute
Kylian Mbappe, meanwhile, has formally taken the club to court. He argues that the club still owes him compensation for the last few months of his contract. This case came to light only months after he left the club officially. The judges lived in constant threat of violence, yet they stood firm. This was in line with previous precedent around players’ unpaid wages, but a victory nonetheless for Mbappe.
As the court noted, PSG could not even produce a single contract. This deal was supposed to provide evidence that Mbappe relinquished his claims to sums due to him. This failure to document was central to the court’s holding that Mbappe’s allegations be taken as true.
“This judgment confirms that commitments entered into must be honoured. It restores a simple truth: even in the professional football industry, labour law applies to everyone,” – Mbappe’s legal team
Court Ruling and Implications
The Paris labour court’s ruling is an important victory for Mbappe. It underscores the importance of — and the pain around unpredictable — contractual obligations in professional sports. By making this decision, PSG has mitigated its potential liability in respect of any additional payments for any dismissal and or notice pay.
In September and October 2024, the French Professional Football Football League supported Mbappe’s statements. In both of those decisions they acknowledged the amounts he was owed. This steady support from the league underscores just how legitimate and far-reaching Mbappe’s stance is.
Frederique Cassereau, a representative from Mbappe’s legal team, expressed satisfaction with the ruling, stating, “We are satisfied with the ruling. This is what you could expect when salaries went unpaid.”
Future for Kylian Mbappe
Kylian Mbappe’s move to Real Madrid on a free transfer after leaving PSG represents the most important stage of his career thus far. As France’s most distinguished goalscorer, you are a powerful voice in world soccer. This ruling can set the standard for how third party contracts should be handled in future player transfers.
Mbappe’s commitment to fulfilling his contractual obligations — and his seven-year commitment to PSG — has been emphasized by Mbappe’s legal team. They emphasized, “Mr. Mbappe, for his part, scrupulously respected his sporting and contractual obligations for seven years, right up to the final day.”
