PARIS — In a significant legal blow to the French champions, a Paris labour court has ordered Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) to pay former striker Kylian Mbappé €60 million (£52.5m) in unpaid salary and bonuses.
The ruling, delivered on Tuesday, marks a partial resolution to one of the most bitter and high-profile financial disputes in modern football history. While the award is substantial, it represents only a fraction of the €263 million (£231.5m) the Real Madrid forward had originally sought in damages.
The Verdict: A Partial Victory
The court found that PSG had unlawfully withheld three months of Mbappé’s salary between April and June 2024, alongside an unpaid “ethics bonus” and a signing bonus stipulated in his final contract.
Legal experts note that the majority of the €60m sum is comprised of these bonuses rather than base salary. The decision vindicates Mbappé’s claim that the club failed to honor its contractual obligations during his final months in Paris.
“We are satisfied with this ruling. This is what you could expect when salaries went unpaid,” said Mbappé’s lawyer, Frederique Cassereau, following the verdict.
In a broader statement, the player’s legal team emphasized the precedent the ruling sets for the sport:
“This judgement confirms that commitments entered into must be honoured. It restores a simple truth: even in the professional football industry, labour law applies to everyone.”
The Multi-Million Euro Counter-Suit
The dispute, which reached the Paris labour court in November, was complicated by a massive counter-claim from the club. PSG had sued their former captain for €240 million (£211m), seeking compensation for what they described as “ill-treatment” and financial damages caused by his departure.
Central to PSG’s grievance was Mbappé’s refusal to accept a world-record €300 million transfer to Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal in 2023. The club argued that his subsequent free transfer to Real Madrid in the summer of 2024 violated a “gentleman’s agreement” intended to protect the club’s finances—a claim Mbappé’s camp has consistently denied.
The court’s decision to award Mbappé €60m effectively dismisses PSG’s counter-claim for the time being, though the legal battle may not be over.
What Happens Next?
While the court has ordered the payment, the saga is likely to drag on. €55 million had already been frozen from the club’s accounts in May following a request by Mbappé’s legal team, ensuring the funds are technically available.
However, PSG has signaled they may not accept the decision lying down. In a statement released shortly after the ruling, the club confirmed it would execute the judgement but explicitly reserved the right to appeal.
“Paris St-Germain takes note of the judgement pronounced by the Paris Labour Court,” the club stated. “Paris St-Germain has always acted in good faith and with integrity, and will continue to do so.”
Attempting to pivot away from the courtroom drama, the club added that it is now “looking to the future, based on unity and collective success,” and wished their all-time top scorer “the best for the rest of his career.”
For the 26-year-old Mbappé, who has scrupulously maintained that he respected his obligations “right up to the final day,” the ruling serves as a vindication of his conduct during a tumultuous exit from his hometown club.
