Kylian Mbappé’s $300m lawsuit against PSG reaches court in France

The ongoing dispute between Kylian Mbappé and Paris Saint-Germain broke new ground on Monday as the case reached a labor court in Paris.

For much of the past two years, Mbappé and PSG have been locked in a legal conflict related to the Frenchman’s controversial exit. Mbappé is demanding €263 million ($304m) from the club, a combination of overdue wages, unpaid bonuses and damages for alleged ill-treatment.

In July 2023, with just one year remaining on his deal with PSG, Mbappé turned down a proposed transfer to Al-Hilal of the Saudi Pro League. He alleges that he was unfairly frozen out of the team for rejecting that offer and refusing to sign a new contract in Paris. He was eventually reinstated to the team but went on to leave for Real Madrid on a free transfer the following summer.

PSG launch legal response

Mbappé‘s claims are now being considered in court, but PSG have their own counter-demands.

In turn, PSG are asking for €240million ($278m) from Mbappé. BBC reports that the claim stems from the failed move to Saudi Arabia; with a bid of €300 million ($347m) on the table from Al-Hilal, PSG were eager to sell Mbappé.

It’s not entirely clear on what basis the club could realistically extract that sort of figure from Mbappé. Soccer players are not typically transferred to other clubs without their approval for the deal. Mbappé could argue that the Saudi Pro League is below the standard that his talent demands and that he would not entertain such a move at this stage in his career.

For now, the two parties are at a stand-off. PSG find themselves in the strange position of being in conflict with their all-time record goalscorer and, potentially, greatest-ever player.

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.

Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.