A trial has begun in France over the high-profile armed robbery of Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and his wife Alessia Elefante in Paris in 2023.
İdman.Biz reports that Donnarumma was playing for PSG at the time of the attack. The 27-year-old goalkeeper now represents Manchester City.
The robbery took place late at night at the couple's apartment near Avenue Montaigne in Paris while they were asleep. According to the investigation, the attackers used a ladder to reach the roof before gaining access to the balcony and breaking windows to enter the property.
Donnarumma woke up and confronted the intruders. One of the attackers allegedly struck him in the face and threatened him with a knife while demanding valuables.
Elefante told investigators that she was also assaulted as the robbers demanded money, watches and the code to a safe. She handed over a Cartier watch, jewellery and around €2,000 in cash. According to her testimony, the attackers continued to assault her even after she told them she was pregnant.
Donnarumma eventually provided the code to the safe, which turned out to be empty. The attackers fled with valuables including cash, designer bags, watches and keys to Mercedes and Lamborghini vehicles.
Donnarumma is not expected to attend the court hearings in person but has submitted a detailed written statement describing the events of that night.
Several alleged members of the group are involved in the case. Prosecutors claim that 21-year-old Ilyas Herbouche and Kyan Mamouni helped organise the robbery from prison, although both deny involvement.
Another defendant, 24-year-old Mokhtar Diop, has admitted participating in the robbery but denies using physical violence. Two other accomplices, who were minors at the time of the attack, have already been sentenced to three and four years in prison respectively. Another suspect died by suicide in 2024.
Donnarumma and Elefante have since married and are raising their son Leo.
