Publish:Wednesday, 5 June 2024
The contract entails Mapped earning $16.2 million (EUR15 million) annually after taxes over a five-year span from Real Madrid, with an additional estimated $163 million (EUR150 million) signing bonus spread throughout the duration of the contract, as reported by ESPN’s Julien Laurens and Alex Kirkland. This would equate to an estimated average yearly income just shy of $50 million.
However, this figure pales in comparison to the staggering $776 million contract offer purportedly made by Al Hilal, a Saudi Arabian club, for Mbappé’s services last summer. By opting for Real Madrid’s offer, Mbappé is forfeiting over $700 million in potential earnings.
Mbappé, who bids farewell to Paris Saint-Germain after seven years, has amassed approximately $288 million in his career thus far, per Capology.com estimates. Despite the allure of the historic one-year contract from Al Hilal, Mbappé’s decision to join Real Madrid suggests a longer-term strategic move rather than immediate financial gratification.
Joining Real Madrid positions Mbappé within a team boasting Champions League-winning talents such as Vinícius Júnior and Jude Bellingham. His departure from Paris Saint-Germain marks the end of an era where he became the club’s all-time leading scorer with 256 goals, including a record 175 in France’s Ligue 1.
Critics have raised concerns about Saudi Arabia’s aggressive ventures into various sports, including soccer, golf, and Formula 1, labeling it as “sportswashing,” a term denoting the use of sports to improve a tarnished image.
Mbappé expressed his excitement about the move in an Instagram post, describing it as a dream come true and expressing gratitude to Real Madrid fans for their support. With this move, Mbappé joins a promising squad at Real Madrid, adding his considerable talent to an already formidable lineup.