Kylian Mbappé of Real Madrid attempts to gain control of the ball during a La Liga soccer match against Las Palmas at Gran Canaria Stadium in the Canary Islands, Spain, on Thursday, August 29, 2024. AP Photo
French soccer superstar Kylian Mbappé is facing swirling rumors following reports from Swedish media that he is involved in a rape investigation. His representatives have swiftly dismissed these claims as "false and irresponsible."
The controversy began when several Swedish outlets, including the tabloids Expressen and Aftonbladet, along with broadcasters SVT and TV4, reported that the Real Madrid player was being investigated after a visit to Stockholm last week. These outlets did not provide any specific sources for their claims.
In response to the media frenzy, Swedish prosecutors confirmed that a rape complaint had been filed with the police but did not disclose any names of potential suspects. Prosecutor Marina Chirakova, who is overseeing the investigation, stated, “According to the report, the incident took place on October 10, 2024, at a hotel in central Stockholm.” However, she could not provide any further details and emphasized that she could not confirm whether any suspects had been identified.
In Sweden, names of suspects are usually kept confidential until charges are formally filed or a suspect is taken into pre-trial custody. This makes the situation more complex, as the investigation remains in its early stages.
Mbappé’s communication team reacted strongly to the reports, calling the media coverage "slanderous." They issued a statement emphasizing that the accusations were baseless and unacceptable, insisting that "Kylian Mbappé will under no circumstances tolerate his integrity, reputation, and honor being sullied by unfounded insinuations."
To further clarify his stance, Mbappé took to his official X account, where he posted “FAKE NEWS!!!!” in response to the Swedish reports, linking them to a legal hearing he was set to attend in Paris regarding a dispute over unpaid wages with his former club, Paris Saint-Germain. He expressed skepticism about the timing of the accusations, stating, “It’s becoming so predictable, on the eve of the hearing, as if by chance.”
Mbappé’s legal team remained silent as they arrived at the Paris hearing. However, later in the day, his lawyer Marie-Alix Canu-Bernard spoke to French broadcaster TF1, expressing confusion about the reports. She stated, “We are told that a complaint has been lodged, but at this stage, we don’t even know against whom. A complaint does not make the truth; a complaint does not prove anything. And once again, I don’t even know if the complaint is against him.”
Before the rumors surfaced, Swedish media had already reported on Mbappé's brief visit to Stockholm, showcasing pictures of him and his entourage. The French star had received permission to miss international matches due to a minor thigh injury, which kept him from playing as France secured victories against Israel and Belgium in recent Nations League matches.
Kylian Mbappé, who rose to fame after helping France win the World Cup in 2018, recently made headlines again after transferring to Real Madrid this summer following a successful seven-year stint at Paris Saint-Germain.
