Sources told ESPN that Paris Saint-Germain has not yet paid Kylian Mbappé his bonus and two months' salary for 2024. This fact also contributed to his comments on Tuesday that he was dissatisfied with the club.
On Tuesday, Mbappé said in his first press conference since joining Real Madrid on a free transfer that certain people at PSG made him “unhappy”.
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Sources told ESPN on Wednesday that PSG found his comments “ungrateful,” adding that PSG would not pay the 80 million euros ($86 million) in back pay in salary and bonuses to recoup the money for his departure, which the sources said Mbappé had already agreed to with PSG in August.
According to sources, Mbappé is demanding the outstanding payment as PSG benched him for the end of the season after he informed them of his departure from the club.
He is entitled to his February bonus as well as wages for April and May, and it remains to be seen whether the club will also pay him his June salary, sources said.
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Sources denied that anyone at the club told Mbappé he would never play again during the season, adding that the club had tried everything possible to keep him happy and entertained over the past seven years.
At a press conference with the French national team on Tuesday, Mbappé said the Paris club had informed him that he would not play at all in the 2023-24 season.
Mbappé was involved in a dispute with PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi last summer over whether he would extend his contract beyond the end of the season and thanked club manager Luis Enrique and sporting director Luis Campos for “saving” him.
“[The club] “They made it clear to me that I wasn't going to play. They told me to my face, they told me with all their might,” said Mbappé. “Luis Enrique and Luis Campos saved me. Without them, I would never have set foot on the pitch again. The mere fact that I played made me very proud, but next year I will certainly not be satisfied with a year like that.”
Sources told ESPN that PSG wants to push forward a new project that is more based on collective strength.
Mbappé was close to joining Real Madrid in the summer of 2022, but ultimately decided to sign a new contract at the Parc des Princes.
In an interview with ESPN FC Daily on Tuesday, former Real Madrid midfielder Steve McManaman said he believes the past could complicate his start at the Bernabeu.
“I think he's got a lot of fans to win over,” said McManaman. “I think it's fitting that he joins them now when they've won their 15th Champions League and are top of the list. But yes, he agreed to join them two years ago and then backed out at the last minute. He's joining the team at a really exciting and important time for the future and for himself.”
He added: “If he wants to be the world superstar, considered the very best, he has to be better than Vinícius Júnior, who will win the Ballon d'Or this year. He has to be better than Jude Bellingham, he has to score more goals because Jude, as you would expect, will have to go back to midfield.”
