PSG ordered to pay around 60 million euros to Mbappe in wage dispute

PARIS: A French labour court has ordered Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) to pay their former forward Kylian Mbappe up to 61 million euros in unpaid wages and bonuses.

The ruling was issued on Tuesday in a long-running wage dispute between the France captain and the Qatari-owned club. Mbappe, who left PSG in June 2024 to join Real Madrid, had claimed more than 260 million euros from his former employers.

PSG, in turn, had demanded Mbappe pay the club 440 million euros, partly linked to an aborted 300 million-euro transfer to Saudi club Al Hilal in June 2023, which Mbappe declined.

The labour court ruled that the final amount payable to Mbappe would be between 60 million and 61 million euros, comprising 55 million euros in unpaid salary and around six million euros in holiday payments. The court rejected Mbappe’s claim that PSG had applied an incorrect French legal classification to his contract.

Mbappe’s lawyers said they welcomed the verdict, calling it a reaffirmation that labour laws apply to everyone, including in professional football.

PSG said it acknowledged the judgement and would comply with it, but reserved the right to appeal. The club said it had always acted in good faith and with integrity.

Mbappe has maintained that he made no agreement in 2023 to waive any payments from the club. He first filed a complaint in June over his treatment by PSG at the start of the 2023–24 season, arguing that he was sidelined and forced to train with players the club was seeking to offload after he refused to sign a new contract.

The French players’ union had also raised concerns over the practice last year. Mbappe was excluded from PSG’s 2023 pre-season tour of Asia and missed the opening match of the season before being recalled following talks with the club.

After seven seasons at PSG, Mbappe joined Real Madrid on a free transfer when his contract expired. He reportedly earns an annual salary of 30 million euros and scored 256 goals in 308 appearances for PSG. PSG went on to win the UEFA Champions League for the first time last season after his departure.