Paris Saint-Germain fans, and many football enthusiasts, hope for only one thing: to see the capital club take to the pitch of the legendary Wembley stadium in London on June 1, occasion of the Champions League final. The event would be all the more followed as it would mark Kylian Mbappé’s last match, after seven years at PSG.
But before that, the fresh 2024 French champion must overcome, this Wednesday, May 1, a first major obstacle: Borussia Dortmund and its immense yellow wall of supporters. As is often the case, PSG will be able to count on the star of its squad for one of its last appearances under the blue and red tunic. Because as the matches follow one another, the end of the Mbappé era at PSG draws closer. A major sporting and economic loss.
A shortfall on his transfer
On the flip side, his departure will greatly relieve the club’s finances: this season, Kylian Mbappé receives a monthly salary of 6 million euros gross – 6 times the average salary of the team -, or 72 million euros per year. “It is obvious that this will lead to a reduction in the payroll,” confirms Jean-Marc Liduena, managing director of the firm Circle Strategy, who recently published a study assessing the economic repercussions of his transfer to PSG. Furthermore, by not extending with the Parisian team, the footballer has given up on several tens of millions of euros in bonuses.
But on the other hand, the French striker will join Real Madrid free in the coming weeks, that is to say without transfer compensation. In 2018, he was purchased from Monaco for an amount of 180 million euros, the second largest transfer in the history of football, behind that of Neymar, also recruited by PSG for 222 million euros. one year earlier.
“Mbappé was a huge gamble. Despite his XXL salary, he remains a profitable investment, having generated around forty million euros for the club,” calculated Jean-Marc Liduena. Economist Luc Arrondel nevertheless believes that PSG has “become a global brand”, above its stars. In 2023, its valuation was estimated at 4.25 billion euros, compared to 70 million euros when it was purchased in 2011 by Qatar Sports Investments (QSI). After the departures of Messi and Neymar, that of Mbappé will mark the end of an era. “PSG will have to reinvent its business model,” points out Maxime von Steenberghe, partner at Circle Strategy.
41 goals scored during the 2022-2023 season
How much is a goal from the French world champion worth, considering his performances? “The club’s income last season was 802 million euros for 120 goals scored, or one goal for approximately 7 million euros in income. However, Mbappé scored 41. If we could establish a correlation between a goal scored and an overall income, we could say that Mbappé brought in almost 300 million euros,” explains Maxime von Steenberghe. Even if we must keep in mind that “it is very difficult to estimate the value of a goal!”, he specifies.
Recently, the Welsh club Cardiff commissioned an expert to assess the financial losses linked to the death of footballer Emiliano Sala, who was to join its ranks after a transfer concluded with FC Nantes. Considering that the Argentine player would have scored several goals without the plane crash which cost him his life – and that his arrival could have prevented the club from going down to the lower division – Cardiff is demanding 121 million euros from the management of FC Nantes.
Luc Arrondel points out, however, that “football remains a team sport” and that it is risky to separate an individual performance from those of other players. However, a victorious goal from Kylian Mbappé in England at the beginning of June would have significant economic repercussions. “Winning the Champions League would amply repay his salary over a year,” assures Maxime von Steenberghe. But the Qatari management has proven it in the past: profitability is certainly not its primary motivation.
.