Kylian Mbappé’s presence has faded from Paris, but Lionel Messi’s legacy still lingers in the French capital, Soccernet.football reports.
According to a report by Sport as per Footmercato, the official Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) store has completely removed Mbappé merchandise from its shelves, while Lionel Messi’s jerseys from the 2022/23 season remain available.
The absence of Mbappé’s jerseys highlights the strained relationship between the 2018 World Cup winner and the club.
The discord between PSG and Mbappé revolves around a contract dispute that intensified last summer.
Mbappé informed PSG that he would not trigger his one-year contract extension, allowing him to leave on a free transfer in 2024.
This prompted PSG to list him for sale and temporarily exclude him from the first team. An agreement later saw him reintegrated into the squad, but the underlying issues continued to simmer.
A key point of contention is the nature of the verbal agreement between Mbappé and PSG President Nasser Al-Khelaifi.
This alleged deal, witnessed by head coach Luis Enrique and sporting director Luis Campos, involved two possible outcomes: Mbappé could extend his contract and depart for a fee in 2024, or leave for free while adjusting his salary to reflect the club’s financial expectations.
Mbappé is now seeking €55 million in unpaid bonuses, which PSG argues are unwarranted due to the contract’s “legal amendment” during his reintegration.
The case, currently under appeal, may head to an employment tribunal if unresolved.
Meanwhile, Mbappé has moved on, signing with Real Madrid on a free transfer this summer, marking the end of a turbulent chapter with PSG.
The legal battle continues, however, casting a shadow over the club’s handling of its former star.
Lionel Messi, on the other hand, remains an enduring figure in the PSG narrative, his jerseys a reminder of his iconic stint in Paris, even as he now plays for Inter Miami.