Kylian Mbappé’s legal representatives are taking a proactive approach to address the ongoing conflict between the World Cup champion and his previous club, Paris Saint-Germain.
The French forward contends that PSG owes him €55 million ($61 million) in outstanding wages, and his attorneys have reportedly requested the Paris court to initiate legal proceedings.
Legal analyst Thomas Clay indicated that Mbappé has been granted permission to execute a precautionary seizure of the funds, which were frozen from PSG’s bank accounts on Thursday. A court hearing is set for May 26, he noted.
“This situation has persisted for just over a year. We established a one-year timeframe to attempt to resolve this matter amicably,” stated Mbappé’s lead attorney, Delphine Verheyden.
“As time has passed, Kylian Mbappé has yet to receive the outstanding €55 million. A decision has now been made to adopt a more aggressive stance.”
Verheyden also mentioned that they are seeking intervention from the French sports minister to legally contest a ruling by the appeals commission of the French Football Federation, which deemed Mbappé’s appeal against PSG inadmissible.
Additionally, she plans to request UEFA’s involvement, asserting that PSG is violating its salary obligations. Verheyden warned that if PSG is found liable, the club could risk losing its license to compete in the Champions League.
In response, PSG issued a statement expressing its desire to achieve an “amicable” resolution to the issue, “despite the ongoing indications of bad faith and the player’s complete rejection of any mediation.”
The club further remarked, “After hearing yet another extraordinary account from an alternate reality today, PSG remains perplexed as to why Kylian Mbappé is not pursuing his case in the labor chamber, which is the sole jurisdiction capable of resolving the dispute with his former club.”
The actions taken by Kylian Mbappé’s legal representatives appear to be aimed solely at prolonging the resolution of the dispute before the labor chamber, where PSG is prepared to present comprehensive facts, evidence, and testimonies that substantiate the existence of an agreement. PSG has been advocating for a settlement for over a year.
In October of the previous year, the French league appeals commission upheld the ruling that mandated PSG to compensate Mbappé for the unpaid wages he is seeking. Mbappé asserts that the club owes him three months’ salary along with the final portion of a loyalty bonus.
He transferred to Real Madrid last summer on a free transfer after achieving a club-record total of 256 goals during his seven-year tenure at PSG.
PSG contends that when Mbappé was excluded from the squad prior to the 2023-24 season—following his choice not to renew his contract—there was a verbal agreement in which he agreed to forgo bonuses in order to rejoin the team.
The conclusion of Mbappé’s relationship with PSG was marked by significant tensions, with some fans expressing their discontent by booing him during his final home match at Parc des Princes. PSG felt betrayed by Mbappé after having offered him the most lucrative contract in the club’s history when he renewed his contract in 2022.
However, Mbappé experienced frustration due to unmet promises regarding the signing of key players. Upon signing that contract, he was showcased to fans while holding a jersey emblazoned with the year 2025. He was reportedly displeased because the contract was set to expire in 2024, with an option for an additional year.
In June 2023, Mbappé shocked PSG by notifying the club that he would not be exercising the option for an extra year. With his contract effectively entering its final year, PSG found itself in a position where it needed to sell Mbappé to prevent losing him without compensation when the contract concluded.
His tenure at PSG was at risk of concluding that summer due to a contentious transfer impasse.
After informing the club of his decision not to renew his contract, Mbappé was excluded from a preseason tour in Japan and South Korea, relegated to training with less prominent players. PSG indicated a preference to sell him rather than allow him to depart for free in 2024, yet he declined a €300 million ($335 million) offer from Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal.
Although PSG omitted Mbappé from the first league match of the season, he quickly rejoined the squad following discussions. On Thursday, Mbappé’s legal representatives announced plans to initiate legal action against PSG for harassment due to his treatment.
Additionally, they will pursue another legal case in an industrial tribunal, while Mbappé and his mother have lodged lawsuits concerning the online abuse they have faced.
