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Kylian Mbappé is looking to elevate his already illustrious career following his recent move to Real Madrid, but the French superstar is currently navigating a series of off-field challenges.
Ideally, the 25-year-old former Paris Saint-Germain striker would focus solely on acclimating to life in Madrid after signing a five-year deal during the recent summer transfer window. However, he is dealing with fitness issues, a contentious financial dispute with PSG, and reports linking him to a rape investigation in Sweden.
Mbappé has dismissed the investigation claims as “fake news” while simultaneously battling PSG over what he asserts are €55 million (£47 million) in unpaid wages and bonuses from the previous season. Despite his denial, the surrounding negative headlines have begun to tarnish his image, impacting the aura of a player who has become an icon in France and a global sporting superstar.
From Rising Star to Captain
When Mbappé burst onto the scene as a teenager with Monaco nearly a decade ago, he stood out not just for his extraordinary talent but also for his impressive communication skills. Unlike many young athletes, he seemed comfortable under the media spotlight, displaying the maturity of someone much older. As a World Cup winner at just 19, he quickly became PSG’s all-time top scorer, a local hero from Bondy, a suburb of Paris.
In March 2023, following a remarkable hat-trick in the World Cup final against Lionel Messi’s Argentina, he was named captain of the national team by coach Didier Deschamps. This appointment was expected given his prominence on the team. However, his recent decision to rest during France’s UEFA Nations League matches raised eyebrows.
Despite suffering a minor thigh injury in late September, which warranted a break, questions arose regarding his commitment to the national cause when he opted for a short getaway to Stockholm with his entourage while the team played.
Recent reports from Swedish newspapers Aftonbladet and Expressen, along with public broadcaster SVT, have linked him to a rape investigation following an alleged incident at a hotel on October 10. A Swedish prosecutor confirmed that an investigation is underway but did not name Mbappé.
Financial Disputes and Changing Perceptions
Complicating matters, Mbappé is also embroiled in a financial dispute with PSG, seeking to recover €55 million for unpaid wages and a signing-on fee. PSG claims he agreed to forgo these payments if he left on a free transfer at the end of last season. On Monday, Mbappé suggested that the timing of the rape allegations might be connected to his ongoing dispute with PSG, saying, “It’s becoming so predictable, on the eve of the hearing, as if by chance.”
His tumultuous exit from PSG, marked by several benchings in the latter part of last season after announcing his desire to leave, has also impacted his performance for France. At Euro 2024, he suffered a broken nose in the opening match and scored just once—a penalty in a group-stage draw with Poland—before the team was eliminated in the semi-finals.
Although he has scored seven goals in his first 11 appearances for Real Madrid, he appears to be adjusting slowly to his new environment. A recent incident encapsulated the shift in public perception of Mbappé; he was booed by Lille supporters when he came on as a substitute during a Champions League match earlier this month. This reception starkly contrasts with the acclaim he enjoyed across France following the last World Cup.
