A French teenager has been charged after police allegedly uncovered plans to kidnap Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé, along with 25 other potential targets.
According to a report by *Le Parisien* on Wednesday, the alleged ringleader, 18-year-old Clément L. (also known as “Lester Z”), was charged on August 21 in Nanterre with organized gang robbery and other offenses.
Investigators reported that Mbappé’s name was found on phones seized during searches of the suspect’s network. The target list also included wealthy business figures and prominent members of the French rap scene, bringing the total number of identified targets to 26.
Authorities have linked Clément L. to a series of home invasions and kidnapping plots carried out or planned between April 11 and August 19. The incidents reportedly took place in several French towns, including Neuilly-sur-Seine, Saint-Brice-sous-Forêt, and Santenay.
The primary suspect remains in pretrial detention in solitary confinement. Meanwhile, an alleged accomplice was released under judicial supervision—a ruling challenged on Wednesday before the Versailles investigating chamber.
Investigators are continuing their work to determine how far each plot had progressed and the specific role each suspect played in the alleged criminal gang.
Mbappé, 27, joined Spanish giants Real Madrid from Paris Saint-Germain in 2024.
