In a landmark legal decision, a French labour court has ruled in favour of football superstar Kylian Mbappe, ordering his former club Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) to pay him a staggering €60 million in unpaid salaries and bonuses.
The Core of the Dispute: Unpaid Wages and Bonuses
The conflict stemmed from Mbappe's final months at the Parisian club before his high-profile free transfer to Real Madrid in the summer of 2024. The French national team captain took PSG to the Conseil des Prud'hommes de Paris after alleging the club failed to pay his salary for three months—April, May, and June of 2024.
Beyond the monthly wages, Mbappe's legal team argued that the club also withheld two significant bonus payments: an ethics bonus and a signing bonus. PSG had countered these claims by suggesting an informal agreement was in place where Mbappe would forfeit these payments, linked to his refusal of a proposed €300 million transfer to Saudi club Al-Hilal in 2023.
However, the court found no written evidence to support PSG's claim that Mbappe had willingly waived his contractual rights. The judges emphasized that commitments must be honoured, leading to the decisive ruling in the player's favour.
Reactions from Both Camps Following the Verdict
Mbappe's legal representatives expressed strong satisfaction with the outcome, framing it as a victory for basic employment rights within the high-stakes world of professional football. "This judgment confirms that commitments entered into must be honoured," they stated. "It restores a simple truth: even in the professional football industry, labour law applies to everyone."
They further defended Mbappe's professionalism, noting he fulfilled all sporting and contractual obligations throughout his seven-year spell at the club, which began with a loan from Monaco in 2017 before a €180 million permanent move.
In an official statement, PSG acknowledged the court's ruling and confirmed they would comply. However, the club also reserved the right to appeal the decision. The statement concluded by wishing Mbappe well in the next chapter of his career, asserting that the club had acted in good faith throughout the process.
Background and Broader Implications of the Case
This legal battle, which dragged on for over two years, cast a shadow over the end of Mbappe's prolific tenure at PSG. During the dispute, the forward was briefly frozen out of the first-team squad after turning down the move to Saudi Arabia, before being reinstated.
It is noteworthy that Mbappe had initially sought a colossal €240 million in his claim, which included damages beyond the unpaid wages. The court's final award of €60 million, while massive, was substantially lower than this initial figure.
During his time in Paris, Kylian Mbappe cemented his legacy as a club legend, winning six Ligue 1 titles and becoming PSG's all-time leading scorer with an incredible 256 goals before departing for the Spanish capital.
