Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe has found himself in the spotlight for reasons other than football during the FIFA international break. Instead of joining the French national team, the 25-year-old forward opted to spend his time off on a short 48-hour trip to Stockholm, Sweden. While Mbappe’s time in the Scandinavian capital was meant to be a break from the sport, it has become overshadowed by controversy, with unsavoury reports surfacing about his stay.
Swedish authorities have confirmed that they are investigating a complaint of rape at the hotel where Mbappe stayed, with Bayer Leverkusen defender Nordi Mukiele also present. While Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet has suggested that Mbappe may be named in the complaint, the police have yet to officially confirm this. In response to the allegations, Mbappe’s lawyer, Marie-Alix Canu-Bernard, has spoken out in his defense.
Canu-Bernard emphasized that the mere filing of a complaint does not equate to an accusation, let alone guilt. “At this moment, we do not know against whom the complaint is directed. A complaint does not establish the truth, it does not prove anything,” she told Marca. She went on to stress that Mbappe was not in a situation that would expose him to such risks. “He is never alone and is stunned by everything. This media commotion, he does not understand at all what he can be accused of. This completely excludes the possibility that there may have been reprehensible actions on his part. This is an absolute certainty.”
Mbappe himself, according to his lawyer, remains unfazed by the swirling rumors. “He is particularly calm. Today he was absolutely calm, he also went to train, because he knows that he has absolutely nothing to blame himself for,” Canu-Bernard explained. She also revealed that they plan to file a complaint for slander, rejecting any implication of Mbappe’s involvement in the case.
In addition to this legal storm, Mbappe has faced criticism for missing France’s international matches, despite having played in Real Madrid’s last game. However, French national team manager Didier Deschamps has publicly defended the forward, affirming that Mbappe is free to use his time off as he sees fit.
Amid the controversy, Mbappe was also mysteriously edited out of a Real Madrid promotional image, further fueling speculation. As the situation unfolds, both Mbappe and his legal team are taking steps to clear his name, with the forward maintaining his focus on his career and training.
