The burglary at the Paris home of Italian football star Gianluigi Donnarumma in July 2023 shocked the sports world and highlighted the vulnerability of high-profile athletes. Three men, including the alleged mastermind Ilyas Kherbouch, are set to be tried in September before the Paris Criminal Court. Two other suspects, who were minors at the time of the crime, have already been convicted in a juvenile court earlier this month.
The Night of the Attack
In the early hours of July 21, 2023, a group of armed intruders broke into the apartment of Gianluigi Donnarumma on Avenue Montaigne in the upscale 8th arrondissement of Paris. The then-PSG goalkeeper, his partner Alessia, who was pregnant, and their young child were present. The attackers, wearing masks and gloves, forced their way in and violently subdued Donnarumma, striking him in the face and binding his hands and feet with cables. His partner was also tied up and terrorized. The criminals ransacked the home, making off with cash, luxury watches, designer handbags, a mobile phone, and car keys. The total value of the stolen goods has not been publicly disclosed, but estimates run into hundreds of thousands of euros.
The Donnarumma family was left deeply traumatized. In a statement released by their lawyers, Mes Pierre-Louis Dauzier, Annabelle Faci, and Thomas Klotz, the victims said: “These acts of unimaginable violence remain incomprehensible to our clients, who are still profoundly shocked.” The psychological impact on the couple, particularly given the presence of their child and the pregnancy, has been severe.
The Suspects and the Legal Proceedings
Now, more than three years later, the judicial process is moving forward. The main trial in September will focus on three adult defendants: Ilyas Kherbouch, Khyan M., and a third man whose identity has been withheld. They face charges of “theft by deceit, breaking and entering into a residence,” “kidnapping followed by release before the seventh day,” and “criminal association.”
Ilyas Kherbouch, 21, alias “Ganito,” is accused of being the mastermind. Notably, he allegedly orchestrated the home-jacking from his prison cell. Kherbouch has been incarcerated since the age of 14 for a string of aggravated robberies. He made headlines in March 2026 when he escaped from Villepinte prison without violence, using fake police officers. He was recaptured two weeks later. His lawyer, May Sarah Vogelhut, could not be reached for comment.
The second alleged commander, Khyan M., also 21, is said to have given orders from behind bars as well. His attorney, Céline Dadouat, declined to comment. The third defendant is believed to have been a direct executor of the crime. Investigators uncovered a disturbing detail: after the burglary, this executor was himself kidnapped and tortured. Photographs of him, naked and bloodied, were found on Kherbouch’s phone, according to the indictment.
Two other participants were juveniles at the time of the crime. They were tried in a juvenile court and received convictions in early July 2026. The details of their sentences have not been made public due to French juvenile justice laws, but they are reportedly serving time in specialized facilities.
A sixth man arrested in connection with the case died by suicide in detention. He had expressed extreme fear of retaliation from the alleged ringleaders and claimed he had been pressured while in prison.
Gianluigi Donnarumma: A Career Built on Excellence
To understand the context of this crime, it helps to know the stature of the victim. Gianluigi Donnarumma, born in 1999 in Castellammare di Stabia, Italy, is one of the world’s most celebrated goalkeepers. He rose through the ranks at AC Milan, debuting at just 16 years old in 2015. His performances earned him the nickname “Gigio” and a reputation for composure and shot-stopping. In 2021, he led Italy to victory in the UEFA European Championship, saving two penalties in the final shootout against England. That same year, he moved to Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer, signing a lucrative contract that made him one of the highest-paid goalkeepers in history.
Donnarumma has won multiple Ligue 1 titles, French Cups, and the Italian Super Cup. Despite occasional criticism for distribution, he remains a key figure for both PSG and the Italian national team. His lifestyle, including a luxury apartment in one of Paris’s most expensive neighborhoods, inevitably attracted unwanted attention. The July 2023 home invasion was not an isolated incident for Parisian footballers; several PSG players have been victims of burglaries in recent years, including Marquinhos, Presnel Kimpembe, and Ángel Di María. The phenomenon has raised serious concerns about athlete security in the French capital.
Youth Crime and Systemic Failures
The Donnarumma case also shines a light on the exploitation of minors in organized crime. The two teenagers convicted were reportedly used as “cannon fodder” by older ringleaders. Their lawyers, Sipan Ohanians and Jeanne Audéon, stated: “Our client is symptomatic of a vulnerable and sacrificed youth, used as cannon fodder to serve criminal projects that are beyond them.” This echoes a broader trend in France, where juvenile delinquency networks often recruit marginalized youths from suburbs, promising quick money and status. The fact that the masterminds directed operations from prison underscores the challenge of controlling incarcerated individuals who maintain criminal networks on the outside.
The escape of Ilyas Kherbouch from Villepinte prison in March 2026 added a new dimension of notoriety to the case. That escape, executed with the help of fake police officers, embarrassed prison authorities and sparked a manhunt. It also demonstrated the audacity of the alleged ringleader. He was recaptured within two weeks, but the incident raised questions about prison security and the ability of inmates to coordinate crimes from their cells.
The trial is expected to delve into these broader issues of prison corruption, youth recruitment, and the safety of high-profile residents in Paris. The Paris Criminal Court will hear the case starting in September 2026.
Source:SudOuest.fr News