Mbappé Sues PSG, Alleges ‘Moral Harassment’ Over Contract Dispute

French football star Kylian Mbappé has filed a legal complaint against his former club, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), accusing the Ligue 1 champions of moral harassment, as confirmed by the Paris prosecutor’s office on Thursday.

The Real Madrid forward, who joined the Spanish giants last summer on a free transfer, claims that PSG owes him €55 million (approximately $61 million) in unpaid wages. His legal filing further alleges that the French club mistreated him during his final year, particularly after he informed them in June 2023 of his decision not to extend his contract.

Allegations of ‘Lofting’

According to the prosecutor’s office, Mbappé’s complaint references a practice known in French football as “lofting,” which involves isolating a player by removing them from the main squad for sporting, administrative, or disciplinary reasons. Mbappé claims that PSG subjected him to this treatment during the preseason period in 2023.

Following his refusal to trigger a one-year extension clause in his contract, PSG excluded him from the club’s preseason tour of Japan and South Korea, forcing him to train with fringe players. He was also omitted from the squad for the opening match of the 2023–24 Ligue 1 season, only to eventually return to the lineup after internal discussions.

Contract Tensions and Broken Promises

Mbappé’s tenure at PSG ended amid tension, despite the club initially making him the centerpiece of its future. When he signed a high-profile deal in 2022, he was presented to fans wearing a jersey labeled “2025.” However, the contract was actually set to expire in 2024, with a player option for an additional year, which he chose not to exercise.

Sources close to Mbappé have indicated that he felt frustrated by the club’s failure to fulfill promises, especially regarding the signing of key players to strengthen the squad. PSG, on the other hand, believed it had taken all necessary steps to retain its star striker, offering him the most lucrative contract in its history.

The relationship soured further when Mbappé rejected a record-breaking €300 million offer from the Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal, opting instead to see out his contract. This decision led to a tense standoff, with the club determined not to lose him on a free transfer.

A Fractured Farewell

Eventually, Mbappé left PSG as a free agent, having scored a club-record 256 goals over seven seasons. Despite his individual brilliance, his departure elicited mixed emotions from fans. Some booed him during his final home appearance at the Parc des Princes, while PSG went on to lift the Champions League title in his absence this year.

In April, Mbappé’s legal team announced that they would pursue legal action against PSG for harassment related to his treatment during the contract dispute. This lawsuit marks a dramatic turn in what has become one of the most high-profile player-club fallouts in recent European football history.