STOCKHOLM — On Thursday, Swedish authorities announced the closure of a rape investigation linked to soccer icon Kylian Mbappé’s visit to Stockholm last October. The lead investigator, Marina Chirakova, issued a statement indicating that the evidence gathered was insufficient to warrant continued investigation into the allegations made regarding an incident at a hotel.
Chirakova explained, “Throughout the course of this investigation, we identified an individual who was reasonably suspected of rape and two instances of sexual assault; however, I have concluded that the evidence does not meet the threshold to proceed further, and thus, we are closing the case.” She added that the individual involved has not been formally informed of any suspicion related to a crime.
While prosecutors did not identify the suspect during the investigation, several Swedish media outlets reported that it revolved around Real Madrid’s striker Mbappé, who was in Stockholm during a brief pause in the Spanish league season. At the time, Mbappé’s legal representatives strongly denied these media claims, describing them as unfounded.
Attempts to reach Mbappé’s lawyer, Marie-Alix Canu-Bernard, and his team for comment on the situation on Thursday were unsuccessful. In a recent interview aired on French television station Canal Plus, Mbappé expressed his shock regarding the allegations, stating that he had not received any communications from Swedish authorities concerning the investigation. “These are things that come into your life unexpectedly, and it’s bewildering,” he commented, adding that he had never felt implicated in any legal matters.
Mbappé, who is 25 years old, appeared in Stockholm on October 10 during an international break instead of fulfilling a commitment to play for France in the Nations League. Shortly after this public appearance, reports surfaced in Swedish media alleging that he was the focus of the investigation. During that time, officials confirmed the initiation of a rape investigation but chose not to provide any further details.
