A Paris labour court has delivered a significant ruling against French football giants Paris Saint-Germain, ordering the club to pay former star striker Kylian Mbappe a sum of 60 million euros (£52.6m). The verdict, handed down on Tuesday 16 December 2025, centres on unpaid earnings from the final months of Mbappe's contract before his high-profile free transfer to Real Madrid.
Court Rejects PSG's Forfeiture Argument
The court found that Mbappe was owed three months of unpaid wages for April, May, and June 2024, along with an ethics bonus and a signing bonus stipulated in his employment contract. Crucially, the judges noted that the sums had been recognised by the French Professional Football League (LFP) in September and October 2024, and there was no evidence Mbappe had waived his right to them.
This led the court to reject PSG's argument that the 26-year-old French forward should forfeit the unpaid wages entirely. However, the judges did dismiss Mbappe's additional claims, which included allegations of concealed work, moral harassment, and a breach of the employer's duty of safety.
Legal Reactions and Club's Stance
Mbappe's legal team welcomed the decision. His lawyer, Frederique Cassereau, told reporters, "We are satisfied with the ruling. This is what you could expect when salaries went unpaid." In a formal statement, his lawyers added that the judgment confirms commitments must be honoured and that labour law applies to everyone, even in professional football.
In response, PSG issued a statement saying it "takes note of the ruling... which it will comply with, while reserving the right to appeal." The club asserted it had always acted in good faith and with integrity, and is now looking to the future, wishing Mbappe well in his career.
Background of the Dispute and Mbappe's Legacy
The dispute originated from earnings Mbappe said were withheld in the final quarter of his contract before his move to Spain. His lawyers had initially argued he was owed more than 260 million euros (£227m) and sought to have his fixed-term contract reclassified as a permanent one, a claim the court rejected, thereby limiting potential compensation.
PSG had counter-argued that Mbappe acted disloyally by concealing his intention not to renew his contract for nearly a year. The club had sought 440 million euros (£385m) in damages for a "loss of opportunity" after he left on a free transfer, following a year of intense speculation, including a potential world-record move to Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal.
Mbappe joined PSG in 2017 on an initial loan with a mandatory purchase option of 180 million euros (£165.7m) from AS Monaco. During his tenure in Paris, he became the club's all-time top scorer with 256 goals and won six Ligue 1 titles.
