Kylian Mbappe during a game for Real Madrid. Photo by Reuters
Real Madrid has removed Kylian Mbappé from their advertising campaign following rape allegations in Sweden against the French football star.
On Tuesday, Real Madrid shared a photo from their campaign featuring the legendary Brazilian defender Roberto Carlos and English star midfielder Jude Bellingham, with an empty spot between the players. Shortly after, Bellingham posted a similar photo on Instagram, which included Mbappé in that empty spot. Bellingham deleted the photo soon after, but fans were quick to notice the difference.
Spanish journalist Romain Molina reported that Real Madrid held an emergency meeting on Monday evening, likely to discuss the allegations against Mbappe. The incident allegedly occurred during Mbappe’s two-day stay in Sweden, where he traveled after being sidelined from the France national team due to injury.
While in Stockholm, Mbappe partied with teammate Nordi Mukiele and other friends. He left the Swedish capital on a private jet on Oct. 11. According to Swedish media reports, a rape case was reported at the hotel where Mbappe stayed on Oct. 10. The victim filed a complaint with the police and details of the case have since emerged. On Tuesday, The evening paper reported that the victim has accused Mbappe of being the perpetrator, prompting police to investigate the hotel where Mbappe and his friends stayed.
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A campaign photo posted on Real Madrid’s official account (L), and a similar one featuring Kylian Mbappe posted on Jude Bellingham’s Instagram. |
Mbappe and his legal team have strongly denied the accusations, calling the reports baseless. The player hinted that his former club, Paris Saint-Germain, may be involved, as a legal dispute between them and Mbappe is approaching trial.
PSG, however, dismissed these claims, sarcastically commenting that Mbappe “hasn’t contributed to Real Madrid but already caused trouble.”
Mbappe has returned to Real Madrid, but he still needs to answer questions from Swedish authorities. Both French and Spanish media have reported extensively on the case, emphasizing its seriousness as police and prosecutors continue their investigation.
Swedish lawyer Dahlrot Cabouillet commented on rape cases in Sweden, as he told French newspaper The Parisian: “If there is no evidence of the victim’s consent, either through words or gestures or if the perpetrator was under the influence of alcohol or drugs, it can be considered rape and Mbappe is facing risks of being convicted.”
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