New developments in the rape case involving Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Moroccan international footballer Achraf Hakimi have surfaced, with secret text messages and testimony from teammate Kylian Mbappé coming to light.
The case, which dates back to March 2023, took a significant turn following an investigative report published by French newspaper L’Équipe. The outlet revealed hidden text exchanges that could potentially undermine the prosecution’s narrative and raise questions about the accuser’s credibility.
In March 2023, a woman accused Achraf Hakimi, 26, of raping her at his home after they connected on Instagram. She told investigators the encounter was “forceful but not violent,” and claimed she repeatedly said “no” while trying to maintain control of the situation.
Two text messages she sent during the alleged incident have been central to the investigation. At 1:50 am, she texted a friend saying, “It’s very serious,” and at 2:22 am, she wrote, “He’s raping me, I swear on my mother.”
However, newly uncovered messages — not previously disclosed by the accuser — appear to change the tone of the case. According to L’Équipe, earlier messages show her planning the visit with a friend and texting:
“Try to get the codes, we’ll rob him,”
“I’m gonna f*** him.”
When confronted with these messages, she reportedly dismissed them as “dark humor.” Despite that, their existence has sparked skepticism from the defense and broader public.
Two psychological evaluations submitted during the investigation have yielded contradictory conclusions:
- The first expert described the accuser’s account as “sincere and authentic,” though noted the language suggested a lack of respect rather than clear evidence of sexual assault.
- The second expert observed that Hakimi may have had “no insight into her true intentions,” indicating a disconnect in their expectations that evening.
Hakimi’s legal team, led by Fanny Colin, strongly rejected the rape allegations. Colin argued the hidden messages pointed to “a coordinated attempt to manipulate the situation” and highlighted inconsistencies in the accuser’s statements.
PSG teammate Kylian Mbappé was one of several people who gave statements in support of Hakimi. According to L’Équipe, witnesses described the Moroccan defender as someone highly conscious of consent boundaries and the dangers of celebrity status.
Hakimi himself told L’Équipe in a previous interview:
“The truth is, when you’re successful, you become an easy target. They wanted to blackmail me.”
Prosecutors in Nanterre have formally recommended the case proceed to a criminal trial at the court of Hauts-de-Seine. If convicted, Hakimi faces up to 15 years in prison.
While his legal team has labelled the charges as “incomprehensible and senseless,” the accuser’s lawyer, Rachel-Flore Pardo, welcomed the decision to proceed with a trial, calling it “a huge relief” for her client.
The case continues to spark debate in both legal and public circles, highlighting the delicate intersection of celebrity, consent, and justice in high-profile sexual assault cases.
