Market Research Record – Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) has reportedly offered an unprecedented lifetime contract of €1 billion ($1.11 billion) to Kylian Mbappe, according to Defensa Central, a news report cited by SPORT. If the 24-year-old football prodigy accepts the offer, it would become the highest-paid sports contract in history, significantly raising Mbappe’s chances of consistently topping the Forbes’ list of The World’s Highest-Paid Athletes.
Earlier, Mbappe seemed on the verge of joining La Liga’s Real Madrid, as his five-year contract with PSG, which began when he transferred from Monaco in 2017, approached its end. However, in a last-minute turnaround, the World Cup 2018 winner opted to extend his stay at Parc des Princes, sidelining Real Madrid president Florentino Perez.
Although Mbappe appeared at a stadium event wearing a jersey displaying his name and “2025”, his contract only extends until 2024, with an optional 12-month extension. This sparked confusion and speculation about his future at the club.
In a stunning revelation, L’Equipe reported in mid-June that Mbappe had sent a letter to his Qatari employers, declaring he had no intention of renewing his contract. Despite causing a stir among football fans worldwide, Mbappe subsequently stated he had no plans to leave PSG and intended to play in the upcoming 2023/2024 season.
Reports from renowned sports outlets such as Sky Sports suggest that the Ligue 1 champions have presented Mbappe with a critical decision: commit to PSG by signing an extension or be sold ahead of the French championship kickoff on August 13. As per the reports, the offer requires Mbappe to pledge his future to PSG until at least 2025.
Defensa Central, however, claims that PSG has offered a 10-year contract worth €1 billion ($1.11 billion), surpassing any existing sports contract and effectively becoming a lifetime contract. To put this in perspective, the current record-holder, Lionel Messi, was set to receive €555,237,619 ($617,424) over four years from FC Barcelona, given certain conditions were met.
It’s worth noting that Defensa Central, with its considerable social media following, predominantly focuses on Real Madrid-related news, raising questions about the accuracy of the report. Nonetheless, Mbappe has reportedly conveyed to PSG executives that his decisions aren’t driven by money. Instead, he is driven by his aspiration to “win everything with Madrid,” even if it means receiving less compensation.
In 2022, Mbappe topped Forbes’ list of The World’s Highest-Paid Soccer Players, with earnings totalling $128 million. Industry insiders estimate that $110 million of his earnings came from on-field activities, including his salary and a substantial signing-on fee when he renewed with PSG.
As for PSG’s financial capabilities, if any football club could afford such a gigantic payout, it’s them. Amid all the speculations and reports, the football world waits for Mbappe’s final decision.
