A Paris labor court has handed Kylian Mbappé a major legal victory. On Tuesday, the tribunal ordered Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) to pay the French superstar more than 60 million euros.
This ruling settles a bitter dispute involving unpaid wages and bonuses. These payments were linked to the final months of Mbappé’s contract before his high-profile move to Real Madrid in 2024.
The Multi-Million Euro Battle
Lawyers argued the case before the Paris tribunal last month. Ultimately, the court sided with the player and rejected PSG’s substantial counter-claim.
The French giants had sought 440 million euros from Mbappé. The club argued they were owed this amount due to “loss of opportunity” and other damages caused by his departure on a free transfer.
Accusations of “Lofting”
The legal battle extended beyond finances. It also focused on the breakdown of the relationship between the player and the club.
Mbappé accused PSG of “moral harassment.” Specifically, he denounced a practice known in France as “lofting.” This term describes isolating a player from the main squad for administrative or disciplinary reasons, often to force a transfer or contract renewal.
A Breakdown in Trust
Relations between the two parties deteriorated rapidly. Tensions exploded just a year after Mbappé signed a lucrative contract extension in 2022. The forward informed PSG that he would not trigger the option for an extra year.
This decision stunned the club. PSG had purchased Mbappé from Monaco for 180 million euros in 2017 and was desperate to avoid losing him for free.
Preseason Exile
The conflict reached its peak during the summer of 2023.
- Tour Exclusion: After refusing to extend his deal, Mbappé was left off the club’s preseason tour to Japan and South Korea.
- Isolation: He was forced to train with fringe players rather than the first team.
- Transfer Rejection: PSG sought to sell him immediately, but Mbappé rejected a move to Al-Hilal.
- Match Exclusion: He was left out of the opening league game, only returning to the lineup after talks resumed.
PSG’s Defense
Despite the court’s ruling, PSG has consistently denied using harassment.
The club argued that Mbappé’s playing time proved there was no mistreatment. They highlighted that he participated in over 94% of official matches during the 2023-24 season.
PSG maintained that he worked in compliant conditions and that all decisions regarding his playing time were made solely by the head coach.
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