Kylian Mbappé has officially withdrawn his legal complaint against his former club Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) over allegations of moral harassment, his lawyer confirmed on Monday. The move comes just two days before Real Madrid, Mbappé’s current club, are set to face PSG in the semi-final of the FIFA Club World Cup on Wednesday.
Pierre-Olivier Sur, Mbappé’s legal representative, told Agence France-Presse (AFP): “We are withdrawing our civil action.” This marks the end of a significant legal chapter in the increasingly tense relationship between the 26-year-old French striker and the Parisian club where he spent the majority of his professional career.
The harassment complaint stemmed from events that unfolded at the start of the 2023–24 season. After refusing to extend his contract with PSG, Mbappé was reportedly frozen out of the senior squad, barred from participating in the club’s pre-season tour of Asia, and made to train separately with players the club intended to offload.
Mbappé’s legal team alleged that this treatment amounted to moral harassment—an accusation that prompted the Paris prosecutor’s office to open a preliminary investigation last month. His exclusion was part of a broader policy widely criticized by footballing bodies and the players’ union (UNFP), which labeled the practice “professional isolation.”
In 2023, the UNFP filed a separate legal complaint to defend the rights of players subjected to similar treatment by their clubs. According to the union, being ostracized from the main squad without sporting justification represents a breach of professional ethics and could be deemed psychological abuse.
Mbappé missed PSG’s opening match of the 2023–24 Ligue 1 season but was eventually reintegrated into the squad following high-level discussions with club executives. He went on to complete his final season with PSG before signing a long-anticipated free transfer to Real Madrid in the summer of 2024.
Despite the bitter fallout, Mbappé remained professional on the field, contributing to PSG’s campaign as they eventually secured their historic first UEFA Champions League title—a long-elusive achievement that curiously came after the French superstar’s departure.
The legal complaint’s withdrawal is being seen as a tactical de-escalation in what has otherwise been a highly public feud between player and club. However, peace between the two parties remains distant. Mbappé is still pursuing a separate legal case demanding €55 million (roughly $64.4 million) in unpaid compensation from PSG, including wages and performance-related bonuses.
Sources close to Mbappé suggest that this outstanding sum relates to loyalty bonuses and salary components that were allegedly agreed upon but withheld after the player’s refusal to renew his contract in 2023. PSG, for their part, has maintained that Mbappé’s decision not to extend his stay triggered financial consequences that were clearly stipulated in his contract.
The tension has overshadowed what could otherwise be a sporting celebration as PSG and Real Madrid prepare to meet in the Club World Cup semi-finals. The fixture is seen by many as a symbolic showdown, not only between two European giants but also between a player and his past.
The match in Riyadh has stirred anticipation and emotions among fans, who view it as a continuation of the Mbappé-PSG saga on a global stage. It also offers Real Madrid the chance to secure yet another international title, while PSG are eyeing their first ever Club World Cup final appearance.
Mbappé’s relationship with PSG has always been complex. He joined the club in 2017 from AS Monaco in a deal worth €180 million, becoming the most expensive teenager in football history. Over seven seasons, he scored an astonishing 256 goals in 308 matches, helping the club win six Ligue 1 titles and solidifying his status as one of the sport’s global icons.
His refusal to extend his contract in 2023 sparked a major standoff with club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi. While the club initially threatened to bench him for the entire season, pressure from sponsors, fans, and teammates reportedly played a role in his reinstatement.
Now, with the harassment complaint withdrawn, both parties appear to be seeking a less hostile resolution—at least publicly. However, the financial dispute over unpaid compensation could yet lead to another drawn-out legal battle, with potential implications for how elite clubs treat players nearing the end of their contracts.
For PSG, the controversy also puts further scrutiny on their internal policies and player management, particularly after achieving unprecedented success on the continental stage. For Mbappé, it marks the end of a contentious exit and the beginning of a new chapter at Real Madrid, where he is expected to take up the mantle as the team’s next iconic forward.
As the footballing world turns its eyes to the Club World Cup semi-final, all signs suggest that while the legal war over harassment may be over, the financial fight is far from finished.
