PARIS, FRANCE — Two men have been sentenced to prison for their roles in a violent burglary at the Paris home of Italy and Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and his pregnant partner in July 2023, bringing a measure of closure to a traumatic episode that shocked the football world.
The two defendants, whose names were not disclosed in line with French privacy conventions, were convicted on Friday by a Paris criminal court. One received a seven-year sentence, while the other was handed a five-year term. A third suspect remains at large, and French authorities have issued an international arrest warrant for his apprehension.
The burglary occurred in the early hours of July 21, 2023, when masked intruders broke into Donnarumma’s apartment in the upscale 16th arrondissement of Paris while the goalkeeper and his partner, Alessia Elefante, were asleep. The attackers, who were armed and hooded, threatened the couple and forced them to open a safe. Donnarumma and Elefante were reportedly tied up and held at gunpoint during the ordeal, which lasted several minutes.
Elefante, who was pregnant at the time, was subjected to particularly harrowing treatment. According to court testimony, the intruders pressed a weapon to her head and demanded valuables. The couple was left traumatised but physically unharmed. The incident occurred just hours after Donnarumma had played for PSG in a pre-season friendly, underscoring the vulnerability of high-profile athletes to targeted crime.
During the trial, prosecutors described the attack as a “carefully planned operation” carried out by a criminal network that had specifically targeted the footballer’s home. Evidence presented in court included surveillance footage, phone records, and DNA samples that linked the defendants to the scene. The court heard that the stolen items, including luxury watches, jewellery, and cash, were valued at approximately €500,000.
The defendants denied the charges, but the court found them guilty of armed robbery, kidnapping, and criminal conspiracy. In delivering the verdict, the presiding judge noted the “exceptional violence” of the attack and the lasting psychological impact on the victims.
Donnarumma, who joined PSG from AC Milan in 2021, did not attend the trial. His partner, Elefante, provided a written statement describing the ongoing trauma she has experienced since the incident. She said she continues to suffer from anxiety and has difficulty sleeping. The couple has since taken additional security measures at their home.
The sentencing has been welcomed by French authorities, who have pledged to continue their efforts to combat violent crime targeting wealthy individuals and public figures. The Paris prosecutor’s office said the investigation into the third suspect remains active.
The burglary was one of several high-profile home invasions involving footballers in France in recent years. In 2021, the home of PSG midfielder Marco Verratti was burgled, and in 2022, the residence of then-PSG defender Sergio Ramos was targeted. These incidents have prompted calls for increased security for players and their families.
For Donnarumma and Elefante, the court’s decision represents a measure of justice after a deeply traumatising experience. The couple, who have since become parents, have sought to move forward from the incident, though its effects continue to resonate. The sentencing serves as a reminder of the importance of robust security measures for public figures and the need for sustained efforts to tackle violent crime in major European cities.
