In one of the most dramatic twists in recent football history, Kylian Mbappé — now a Real Madrid forward — stunned fans and pundits alike by making an unexpected financial demand just hours after his former club, Paris Saint-Germain, lifted their first-ever UEFA Champions League trophy. The shocking development overshadowed what should have been a night of pure joy for the Parisian club, who dismantled Inter Milan 5-0 in the final at the Allianz Arena in Munich on May 31, 2025.
Mbappé’s decision to reach out to PSG wasn’t about congratulations or nostalgia alone. Just after the final whistle confirmed PSG’s long-awaited triumph, reports began to circulate across social platforms like X (formerly Twitter) that the French superstar had requested €55.4 million from his former club. This sum, according to insiders, reportedly covers unpaid salaries, bonuses, and a signing fee that he believes the club still owes him from before his transfer to Real Madrid in the summer of 2024.
This bombshell came despite Mbappé initially taking to Instagram to post a classy congratulatory message to his former teammates. “The big day finally arrived. Victory and style. Congrats PSG,” he wrote, which many fans interpreted as a heartfelt gesture. But the goodwill quickly turned to confusion and controversy as details of his monetary request emerged, catching even seasoned analysts off guard.
Sources close to the situation claim that Mbappé has already initiated legal proceedings and even secured a court order to freeze the disputed amount in PSG’s financial accounts. While PSG has appealed this decision, no resolution has been reached yet. The matter is now being transferred to a labor court, where a drawn-out legal battle may unfold — one that risks tarnishing the legacy of Mbappé’s seven-year tenure at PSG.
This legal spat adds yet another complex chapter to Mbappé’s storied relationship with PSG. Between 2017 and 2024, he scored 256 goals in 308 appearances, becoming a club legend and symbol of its Qatari-backed ambition. But despite domestic dominance — six Ligue 1 titles and multiple French Cups — the Champions League eluded PSG throughout his era. Ironically, PSG only managed to conquer Europe the season after Mbappé left.
Led by coach Luis Enrique, PSG’s transformation this season was nothing short of remarkable. The Spanish tactician boldly shifted away from the star-centric model built around the likes of Mbappé, Neymar, and Messi. Instead, he invested in a younger, more cohesive squad. Players like Désiré Doué, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Achraf Hakimi, and teenage sensation Senny Mayulu flourished under his system, dismantling seasoned teams with maturity and collective brilliance.
The final against Inter Milan was a showcase of this new identity. PSG played with flair, structure, and unity, executing a tactical masterclass that saw them lift the Champions League trophy in dominating fashion. For many observers, it symbolized the rebirth of the club, one that didn’t need global superstars to achieve the continental glory that had always evaded them.
In contrast, Mbappé’s first season at Real Madrid has been underwhelming. Despite high expectations, the Spanish giants were knocked out of the Champions League quarterfinals by Arsenal and finished behind both Barcelona in La Liga and another finalist in the Copa del Rey. It was a trophyless campaign for a player who left PSG explicitly to win Europe’s top prize.
The timing of Mbappé’s financial claim has sparked intense debate. Some critics accuse him of attempting to shift the spotlight back onto himself during a historic moment for his former team. Others argue that he is within his rights to pursue what he is contractually owed, regardless of timing or sentiment.
Notably, ESPN pundit Herculez Gomez added fuel to the debate, suggesting that Ousmane Dembélé — who stepped into a leadership role in Mbappé’s absence — is now a dark horse contender for the Ballon d’Or. His explosive performances, coupled with PSG’s cohesive style of play, have earned him praise across Europe.
Fans are divided. While many still respect Mbappé’s contributions to PSG, others feel his current actions reflect poorly on his character. “He should have waited. Let the club enjoy their moment,” one fan posted online. Another countered, “He gave them everything. If they owe him money, they should pay.”
This incident has become more than just a legal disagreement. It touches on the larger question of loyalty, legacy, and how football’s biggest stars should conduct themselves when they leave a club. Mbappé’s move to Real Madrid was framed as a necessary step toward personal greatness. But now, with PSG’s success and his legal battle back in France, it appears he may never fully escape the shadow of his former club.
Meanwhile, PSG has remained mostly silent on the matter, perhaps wary of distracting from their monumental achievement. Club officials are expected to issue a formal response once legal proceedings develop further. For now, they continue to bask in the glow of their historic triumph — even if that glow has been slightly dimmed by off-pitch controversy.
As the football world awaits further updates, one thing is clear: PSG’s Champions League victory marks the start of a new era, one no longer tied to the star power of Kylian Mbappé. Whether his legal request is ultimately granted or denied, it won’t change the fact that PSG — without him — finally achieved what seemed impossible.
And in the irony of football’s never-ending drama, Mbappé, watching from Madrid, is once again at the center of headlines he never intended to steal — or perhaps, some believe, always planned to.
