Negotiations Underway for Kylian Mbappé’s Record-Breaking Contract with Al Hilal

French soccer sensation Kylian Mbappé is currently in negotiations with Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal, as per multiple reports. The talks have garnered much attention as it is rumored that Mbappé, who is in the final year of his contract, could potentially receive an unprecedented annual income of $776 million. If this becomes a reality, it would mark the richest single-season sports contract to date.

According to CBS and renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano, the massive sum offered to Mbappé incorporates not only his professional soccer obligations but also various highly lucrative endorsement deals. These remarkable figures have stunned both the sporting world and non-soccer athletes alike, making them question their career choices.

Damian Lillard, a highly-paid NBA player earning $45 million annually, could hardly believe the staggering amount that Mbappé could potentially earn. In response to the news, he simply expressed his astonishment with a succinct “Wtf lol.”

Meanwhile, Giannis Antetokounmpo, the luminary of the Milwaukee Bucks, jokingly contemplated swapping professions with the French football prodigy. In a tweet directed at Al Hilal, Antetokounmpo humorously offered himself as a trade, prompting Mbappé to respond with a string of laughing emojis.

To put things into perspective, Mbappé’s reported contract is expected to surpass even the lifetime earnings of renowned NBA superstar LeBron James, who has earned approximately $530 million throughout his illustrious 21-year career.

The incredible wealth amassed by soccer stars is a well-known phenomenon, with players such as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo consistently dominating the highest-paid athletes’ lists. With negotiations underway for this groundbreaking contract, all eyes are on Kylian Mbappé as he potentially redefines the limits of financial compensation in professional sports.

Mbappé’s Record-Setting Payday Hangs in the Balance

To secure a record-setting payday, Kylian Mbappé would have to give his seal of approval to a deal with Al Hilal. However, reports from ESPN suggest that the French football sensation is unlikely to do so. Regarded as one of the world’s best footballers, Mbappé apparently prefers to continue playing in a top league, such as Spain’s La Liga or the English Premier League, rather than join the less competitive Saudi Pro League.

According to estimates from Capology.com, Mbappé has already accumulated a staggering $292 million throughout his career.

High-Stakes Transfers in the Saudi League

Several notable players have recently made high-profile moves to the Saudi League, lured by lucrative contracts. For instance, Cristiano Ronaldo is set to earn an impressive $213 million this year while playing for Al Nassr, making it the most substantial annual deal in sports history. Additionally, Karim Benzema is reported to be collecting an impressive $214 million over the course of his two-year contract with Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ittihad.

The Question of “Sportswashing”

Saudi Arabia’s involvement in diverse sporting events, including LIV Golf, English soccer, and Formula 1, has drawn criticism from some quarters. This criticism revolves around the concept of “sportswashing,” which refers to the use of athletic events to improve a tarnished reputation.

Human Rights Concerns

Accusations of multiple human rights violations have been raised against Saudi Arabia in recent years, according to the U.S. Department of State. These accusations include unlawful killings, executions for nonviolent offenses, forced disappearances, torture, cases of cruel and degrading treatment of prisoners and detainees by government agents, harsh prison conditions that jeopardize lives, arbitrary arrest and detention, and the targeting of political prisoners.