Paris Saint-Germain presented a particularly substantial case this Monday before the Paris Labor Court against Kylian Mbappé (26), whom the club accuses of breaching his contractual obligations. According to an official PSG statement, the club believes the forward caused significant damage by concealing his intentions and breaking an agreement reached in 2023.
“The club wishes to remind that it has done everything possible, for more than a year, to reach an amicable solution.”
“Paris Saint-Germain was represented today before the Paris Labor Court in order to have the significant damage suffered by the club recognized, following Mr. Kylian Mbappé’s serious breaches of his legally binding contractual obligations, as well as the most basic principles of good faith and loyalty. The club wishes to remind that it has done everything possible, for more than a year, to reach an amicable solution allowing all parties to move forward, in accordance with the cooperative and trusting relationship that should exist between a club and its player.
“Mr. Mbappé continually attacked the club at every opportunity.”
Several bodies involved in this dispute have encouraged an amicable settlement, which the club has always sought in good faith. Despite these repeated efforts, Mr. Mbappé continually attacked the club whenever possible, including through the legal action he initiated today — an unfortunate situation for both the player and French football as a whole.
“Evidence showing that the player acted in bad faith.”
Before the court, the club presented evidence showing that the player acted in bad faith by hiding, for nearly eleven months between July 2022 and June 2023, his decision not to extend his contract, thereby depriving the club of any opportunity to arrange a transfer. The player then challenged an agreement reached with the club in August 2023, which included a salary reduction should he choose to leave on a free transfer, in order to preserve the club’s financial stability after the exceptional investment made. This concealment, combined with his refusal to honor this clear and documented agreement, caused considerable damage to Paris Saint-Germain — damage the club intends to have recognized by the competent authorities.
“Such behavior shows, beyond disregard for the club’s financial health…”
Such behavior shows, beyond disregard for the club’s financial stability, an exploitation of the trust PSG had placed in him — trust the player regularly reinforced through his own statements, such as on January 3, 2024, when he said in the mixed zone after a match at the Parc: ‘I haven’t made my decision yet, but with the agreement I reached with the president this summer, whatever I choose, we have managed to protect all parties and preserve the club’s serenity for future challenges, which remains the most important thing. My decision is secondary.’
“All sporting decisions were made by a coach who is now a Champions League winner.”
Regarding the request to reclassify his contract as a permanent one, PSG reiterates that this claim has no legal basis. Professional players’ contracts are specific fixed-term contracts governed by the French Sports Code and approved by the Ligue de Football Professionnel, in accordance with French and European law. PSG also rejects all accusations of harassment or pressure, recalling that Mr. Mbappé took part in more than 94% of the club’s official matches during the 2023/2024 season — all sporting decisions being made by a coach who is now a Champions League winner — and that he always worked under conditions aligned with the Professional Football Charter.
“Paris Saint-Germain continues to defend its rights with rigor.”
Legally and factually, the player made clear and repeated public and private commitments that the club simply asks him to respect, after having benefited from exceptional conditions during his seven years in Paris. PSG will continue defending its rights with rigor. Fundamentally, this is a matter of good faith, honesty, upholding values, and respecting the Parisian institution and its supporters. Meanwhile, PSG moves forward following the most successful season in its history, built on solidarity, hard work, team spirit, and the primacy of the club over any individual.
The statement from Paris Saint-Germain focuses on one central idea: the belief that Kylian Mbappé deliberately kept the club in the dark for nearly a year. According to PSG, the forward had already decided in July 2022 not to extend his deal but concealed it, preventing the club from preparing a transfer. The accusation is significant, as it strikes at the heart of modern football strategy: anticipating situations to avoid losing a major asset for free.
The club also claims Mbappé reneged on an August 2023 agreement involving a salary reduction should he leave on a free — a move portrayed as necessary to maintain financial stability given the massive investment made in him. In a context where PSG emphasizes transparency, loyalty and the primacy of the institution, this affair goes far beyond the departure of a single player. It brings into the open the issue of trust between a club and a star who was long the centerpiece of the Paris project.
The dispute is far from over, and both sides are clinging to their arguments. It’s unlikely either will come out of this unscathed. Mbappé’s image among PSG supporters suffers, while the club finds itself once again entangled in a complex and ambiguous legal battle. At this stage, turning the page — through firm decisions on both sides — seems the only way to close a chaotic chapter in their shared history.
