´No major problem´ – Mbappe and FFF agree to World Cup year image rights truce

Kylian Mbappe and French Football Federation president Noel Le Graet have cleared the air over an image rights issue that could have disrupted France’s World Cup preparations.

Le Graet indicated on Saturday that Mbappe has agreed for now to accept the existing collective agreement that governs rights for the France team as a whole.

Image rights are an increasingly lucrative market, and Mbappe is well aware of his own value after recently committing to a three-year contract with Paris Saint-Germain, snubbing Real Madrid. He is thought to have agreed to some of the most lucrative terms ever offered to a footballer.

With Les Bleus, though, there is a collective agreement that means each player receives the same amount in image rights income.

It was reported that lawyers for Le Graet and Mbappe met at the end of May to discuss that position, with the player’s representatives saying an agreement was struck that will see a review of the terms that were drawn up in 2010. That now appears set to come after this year’s World Cup.

Le Graet spoke about the matter after the federation’s general assembly, telling a news conference: “I saw Mbappe by himself, then Mbappe at Clairefontaine [the national team headquarters], Mbappe in a group, then all the players.”

According to RMC Sports, Le Graet added: “The conclusion remains: no change until the World Cup, perfect equality between all players. Frankly, there is no major problem to deal with.

“On the contrary. It was done in a very friendly manner with him, first, then the old soldiers of the federation, the players.”

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— Kylian Mbappé (@KMbappe) June 18, 2022

Mbappe had said in May that the matter would be handled “with intelligence and respect”, as he sought greater control over where his image is used.

The 23-year-old striker has scored 27 goals in 57 internationals for reigning world champions France, becoming the leader of his generation of players.

He was a World Cup winner with Les Bleus as a teenager in 2018 and, with Karim Benzema, will carry the main goal threat for France at the Qatar 2022 finals in November and December.