Paris: Kylian Mbappe has voiced concerns over a viral meme that superimposes his face onto the body of a dictator, stating it reflects "a lack of political and human awareness". The Real Madrid and France forward, at 27, acknowledged the humorous aspect of the AI-generated meme but emphasized that it trivializes significant issues.
According to BBC, the meme is often used by fans on social media to symbolize Mbappe's dominance on the field, while others suggest it illustrates his influence at clubs. In an interview with France Football, Mbappe explained, "There's a funny side to it because you can sense that, for some people, it's good-natured. Then there's a side that's a bit less funny, because we know the damage people like that have caused throughout history."
Mbappe expressed discomfort with being compared to historical figures known for atrocities, saying, "Being compared to people who murder others, or who have made millions upon millions of people miserable... I don't think I've done that in my life. On one hand, I know it's done lightheartedly and doesn't go that far, but it sometimes reveals a lack of political and human awareness among people."
The football star also addressed the "Mobut" nickname given to him by France team-mate Ousmane Dembele during the 2026 World Cup. The nickname references Mobutu Sese Seko, the long-time dictator of the Democratic Republic of Congo, formerly known as Zaire. Mbappe added, "Ousmane, that's a different thing. He took that from social media. He's just having a laugh."