Mbappe starts for Madrid amid reports of rape investigation Up trends

Kylian Mbappé, Real Madrid's new signing, speaks to the crowd during the presentation at the Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain on July 16, 2024. – Reuters
Kylian Mbappé, Real Madrid’s new signing, speaks to the crowd during the presentation at the Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain on July 16, 2024. – Reuters

Spain: Real Madrid star, Kylian Mbappe, will start for the Spanish champions against Celta Vigo in the Spanish League, on Saturday, amid reports that he is under investigation for alleged rape during a visit to Sweden.

The 25-year-old French striker, who visited Stockholm during a period of leave granted by Real Madrid, said the reports were “fake news”, and his lawyer said Mbappe would take action for defamation.

The Swedish Public Prosecutor confirmed that an investigation had been opened, without mentioning Mbappe’s name.

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti chose Mbappe in attack during the visit to face Celta, alongside Vinicius Junior.

Ancelotti said on Friday that Mbappe looked like a “different player” after the international break, having worked on improving his fitness following the injury, and said he believed the player had not been affected by the investigation reports.

Ancelotti said in a press conference: “At this moment (the reports) are just speculation. I see him working every day, and he is happy and satisfied, and it does not seem to me that he is affected at all.”

“He is looking forward to continuing to help the team.”

Mbappe completed his dream move to Madrid in the summer after seven years spent at Paris Saint-Germain, the French champions.

The striker scored five goals in his first seven matches in the Spanish League before suffering a thigh injury.

Mbappe recovered faster than expected but France did not select him for their final two UEFA Nations League matches against Belgium and Israel, sparking criticism of the striker in his home country.

Real Madrid, second in the Spanish League, is three points behind Barcelona, ​​which hosts Sevilla on Sunday.

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