MADRID — Real Madrid’s head coach Carlo Ancelotti has stated that Kylian Mbappé is “not affected” by recent media allegations in Sweden suggesting that he is involved in a rape investigation. These claims have been firmly refuted by Mbappé’s legal representatives, who labeled them as false.

“I tend not to focus on outside speculations regarding our players. Mbappé is not disturbed in any way,” Ancelotti expressed in a statement made on Friday.

Reports emerged from Swedish outlets following Mbappé’s visit to Stockholm during the recent international break, during which he was unable to participate due to a minor injury.

Although the sources of these allegations were not disclosed, Swedish media claimed that Mbappé was under investigation regarding an alleged incident that took place in a hotel in the city. Furthermore, Mbappé’s camp has characterized the reports as “false and irresponsible.” On Tuesday, Swedish prosecutors released a short statement confirming that a report of rape had been filed, but they did not identify any suspects.

Ancelotti stood by his player’s choices regarding his time off, reaffirming that it is crucial for players to manage their breaks as they see fit. “The scheduled days off are meant for him, and he can decide how to spend that time,” the Italian coach shared. “I personally took a trip to London for two days without seeking anyone’s approval.”

The French forward sustained a left thigh injury in late September, which led to him missing only one game with Madrid. He made a return as a substitute in a surprising 1-0 defeat against Lille in the Champions League, before starting in a convincing 2-0 win over Villarreal in La Liga. Following this, he opted out of the international matches.

Upon returning to training with Real Madrid this week, Mbappé is gearing up for the league’s resumption. Madrid will face Celta Vigo on Saturday.

“Mbappé utilized the break wisely to restore his fitness and recover from his injury,” Ancelotti noted. “He is feeling positive and is fully prepared to contribute significantly to the team. The last 15 days have been beneficial for him, transforming him into a markedly different player compared to before the pause.”