Real Madrid’s head coach Carlo Ancelotti said the club was not affected by the rape allegations facing Kylian Mbappé. He described it as speculation that will not dictate how the team trains or plays. The Italian manager stressed that players should not be pulled off balance by rumors, and he reassured fans that work remains the top priority. The recent break gave Mbappé and the rest of the squad time to reset, and it was up to each player to decide how to spend their days off. Ancelotti added that there is a clear plan for rest and recovery, and the schedule is managed to maintain focus on performance rather than chatter from outside the club.
The expert added, “I am not here to talk about speculations. I am just focusing on work.” He explained that the team does not get drawn into external talk, and the break serves to reaffirm commitment to training, tactics, and collective goals. The message from the coaching staff was consistent: keep concentration on what matters on the pitch and trust the process. In a season shaped by tight fixtures and high expectations, keeping a calm mindset is seen as essential for maintaining performance across competitions.
On October 15, media outlets reported that Mbappé faced rape allegations tied to an incident in a Stockholm hotel. The criminal case status was described as “reasonable suspect”, indicating the early stage of inquiry. The October 16 edition of RMC Sport reported that Mbappé could testify remotely in the case, reflecting the evolving nature of proceedings and the chance for remote testimony depending on conditions. Mbappé’s representatives and the club did not publicly escalate the matter, focusing instead on legal processes and the athlete’s right to due process.
The footballer responded to these claims by stating that the allegations were false. He publicly rejected the accusations and emphasized that his focus remained on his responsibilities as a player. The response mirrored a long-standing pattern in which the football community seeks to address legal matters with caution while continuing to support players’ careers and privacy. As the case drew attention, the team maintained a public stance of neutrality, avoiding speculation and letting authorities conduct their investigations.
Mbappé missed France’s Nations League matches in October due to an injury, which kept him away from the national team during a critical stretch of qualifiers. It was also reported that the day France prepared to face Israel included filming activity at a Stockholm club, a detail that underscored the media spotlight surrounding the star’s movements. The combination of an injury setback and high-profile coverage created a period of intense scrutiny around Mbappé, with fans and pundits watching how he would manage club commitments alongside national duties and the ongoing legal matter.
A contract transfer to Real Madrid was officially announced on June 3, with Mbappé joining the Spanish giants as a free agent after parting ways with PSG, the club he had represented since 2017. The move marked a major milestone in his career, as Real Madrid sought to bolster their attacking options with one of the world’s most prominent talents. The transfer negotiations drew widespread attention, and the club communicated the terms of the agreement and the timeline for the player to integrate into the squad.
Mbappé scored his first goal for Real Madrid against Real Betis in the fourth round of the Spanish league, delivering a brace and helping the team secure a 2-0 victory. The early impact signaled his potential to contribute significantly to the club’s attacking lineup. On September 4, he was listed among Ballon d’Or nominees, highlighting his status among the game’s elite and the expectations that come with a move to a club of Real Madrid’s stature.
Earlier, Real Madrid officials had expressed regret regarding Mbappé’s transfer, reflecting the emotional and strategic complexities of such a high-profile move. The club’s reflections underscored how transfers of this magnitude can influence squad dynamics, locker room balance, and the broader ambitions for the season. Despite the disappointment some may feel about the negotiations, the team pressed forward, focusing on integration, performance, and the pursuit of trophies.