Kylian Mbappe's turbulent final year at Paris Saint-Germain has escalated dramatically, with the French superstar and his former club now locked in a legal showdown worth more than half a billion euros.
What began as a contract standoff has spiralled into one of the biggest financial disputes European football has ever seen.
Mbappe has filed a €263 million claim against PSG, accusing the club of breaching his contract and subjecting him to unfair treatment during the 2023-24 season. According to the Real Madrid forward, his refusal to activate a contract extension triggered a series of punitive measures from PSG's hierarchy.
He alleges he was pushed out of the senior squad, ordered to train with footballers the club was actively trying to move on, and removed from the lucrative preseason tour to Asia.
These complaints echo concerns raised last year by France's footballers' union, which criticised PSG's use of so-called "punishment squads"-groups of sidelined players separated from the main squad during contract disputes. Mbappe eventually rejoined the team after tense negotiations but maintains that the environment never returned to normal.
PSG, however, has responded aggressively. The club has counter-sued for €240 million, claiming Mbappe's refusal to accept a transfer to Al Hilal cost them an enormous €300 million fee. With his contract expiring the following summer, the club argues they suffered a massive financial blow and are seeking damages.
Mbappe, now flourishing at Real Madrid on a reported salary of €30 million per year, exited PSG after seven seasons in which he scored 256 goals in 308 appearances. Despite his brilliance, the Champions League trophy-PSG's ultimate obsession-remained out of reach during his stay. In a twist of fate, the Parisian club secured their maiden European title the season after he left.
The dispute now moves to France's labour court, which will determine responsibility and damages in a case that could set a major precedent for player-club relations.
