A Swedish prosecutor said on Tuesday a rape investigation had been opened without mentioning Kylian Mbappé, after media reports suggested the Real Madrid and France star was the suspect following a visit to Stockholm.

Swedish newspapers Aftonbladet and Expressen and public broadcaster SVT reported on Tuesday that 25-year-old Mbappe was the target of the investigation after his two-day visit to the Nordic capital last week.

“In response to media reports about an alleged rape in Stockholm, the prosecutor can confirm that a criminal complaint has been filed with the police,” the Swedish law enforcement agency said in a statement.

It added that the alleged incident occurred at a hotel on October 10, but did not name a suspect and said no further information could be shared at this time.

Expressen identified Mbappe as the suspect on Monday, citing anonymous sources, while Aftonbladet and SVT said on Tuesday they had also received information confirming Mbappe was the suspect.

Expressen said Mbappe was under “reasonable suspicion” of rape and sexual assault, the lower of two levels of suspicion in the Swedish legal system.

According to law enforcement, the higher level of suspicion, “probable cause,” is typically a requirement for a suspect to be held in custody prior to formal charges.

On Monday, AFP contacted Mbappe’s entourage and said it had no knowledge of a legal complaint filed against him.

– Seized Evidence –

The France international was not selected for his country’s final round of Nations League games and so visited the Swedish capital with a group of people last Thursday.

According to Aftonbladet, they ate at a restaurant before going to a nightclub. Mbappe and the group left Sweden on Friday.

Aftonbladet said the complaint was filed on Saturday after the alleged victim sought medical attention.

Expressen reported on Tuesday that police seized some items of clothing as evidence, saying they included women’s underwear, black pants and a black top.

On Monday, Mbappe himself claimed in a post on .

“FAKE NEWS!!!!. It becomes so predictable, on the eve of the hearing, as if by chance,” Mbappe posted.

A source close to Paris Saint-Germain told AFP on Monday that they would “ignore” Mbappe’s claim that there was a connection between the report in Sweden and his dispute with the club.

Mbappe’s entourage said in a statement to AFP on Monday: “Today a new defamatory rumor from the Swedish media Aftonbladet begins to spread on the Internet.”

“These allegations are completely false and irresponsible, and their dissemination is unacceptable.” The statement said: “All necessary legal action will be taken to restore the truth.”

– Outstanding career –

Mbappe claims he is owed 55 million euros ($60 million) by the Qatari French champions.

The French League (LFP) in September ordered PSG to pay Mbappe the 55 million euros in wages and bonuses he was said to be due upon his departure to Real Madrid at the end of last season.

The committee, composed in particular of two members of the French national players’ union, a judge and an independent president, can confirm or overturn the LFP’s order.

Mbappe moved to Madrid this summer after seven years at PSG and has so far remained untouched by scandals in his personal life.

The striker, known for carefully managing his image with the help of a close network of family, lawyers and spokespeople, has become one of the world’s highest-paid players after a stellar career that began in his teens.

Along with Pelé, he became the only teenagers to score in a World Cup final as France beat Croatia 4-2 to win the 2018 edition, and was voted the tournament’s best young player.

Four years later, in Qatar, he scored a hat-trick in the final against Argentina, but ended up losing as Lionel Messi’s side won on penalties.

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