Improving Mbappé Back to Haunt PSG

Real forward set for maiden reunion with former side in Club World Cup last four

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EAST RUTHERFORD – Kylian Mbappé will come up against Paris Saint-Germain for the first time since leaving the French club a year ago, as Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid revolution gets its biggest test yet in this Club World Cup semi-final at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 9.

Mbappé should be remembered as a PSG legend, having spent seven prolific campaigns there and eventually departing as their all-time top scorer with 256 goals in 308 games.

But his legacy was a little tainted by the manner of his departure, the sense among many that for the last half of his time in Paris he was just waiting for the right moment to move to Real, the club he had dreamt of representing as a young boy.

PSG, under their Qatari president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, were not happy with the way in which Mbappé chose to run down his contract in order to sign for Real in 2024, denying them a transfer fee.

A bitter legal dispute has gone on between the parties for much of the time since, with the star claiming he is owed €55 million (S$83 million) in unpaid wages and bonuses from his spell in Paris.