FROM ESPN: “A Paris labor court ruled that Paris Saint-Germain must pay more than €60 million ($70 million) to Kylian Mbappé in a dispute over unpaid wages and bonuses linked to the end of his contract before his 2024 move to Real Madrid.”
On December 16th, 2025, an unprecedented court ruling in favor of Mbappé hit the football world. His former team, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), not only took an enormous blow to its reputation but also had to cough up $71.8 million to former player Kylian Mbappe. The team was forced to acknowledge that it had underpaid him during his time with the team. Mbappé now plays for the La Liga team Real Madrid.
Photo courtesy Financial Times
The situation is a 180-degree pivot for PSG because just a short time ago, PSG claimed Mbappe owed them money after their split. The money the UEFA Champions League-winning football team is ordered to pay consists of unpaid wages and holiday pay.
Unpaid wages were not the only allegation from Mbappe. He also alleged the PSG team listed an inaccurate worker classification on his contract. The court did not recognize this allegation. He also stated that the team underutilized him as a player, often making him train with players on the team who had a short shelf life. That is an apparent contradiction to many, since Mbappe is arguably one of the best football players on the planet, as evidenced by the contract PSG gave Mbappe. Yet, the team would not include him in crucial moments and matches on the pitch.
If PSG is cutting corners on paying someone so high-profile, how are they treating a lesser-paid employee? The French government ruled PSG lied and devalued Mbappe, literally the most important person in the organization.
My question is this: How would I feel if I were a standard employee of the team (non-player, coach, physician, owner, or executive)? An employee who works for the team behind the scenes: ticket sales person, grounds person, chef, equipment manager, etc.
As a fellow employee of Mbappe, I would naturally question how my employer values me and whether I’m being treated honestly and appropriately compensated.
One thing is for sure: being one of the best professional athletes in the world automatically makes you a business professional as well. In this case, Mbappe proves to be a skillful CEO.
