Kylian Mbappe has responded to viral memes depicting him as a dictator, saying the trend is largely light-hearted but shows a "lack of awareness" among some fans about the harm dictators have caused throughout history.
The Real Madrid and France forward has been pictured in military uniform in memes that were reproduced by fans at this year's FIFA World Cup. The origin of the trend is unconfirmed, though it has been linked to reports of the influence Mbappe held at Paris Saint-Germain during his time at the French club, and separately to legal action he took against a kebab shop owner in 2024 after his name was used in a sandwich description without permission.
Mbappe addressed the memes in an interview with L'Equipe ahead of this year's Ballon d'Or, the award given annually to the world's best footballer, for which the 27-year-old is among the favourites.
What Mbappe said about the memes
Speaking to France Football, Mbappe said part of the trend was funny because it was clearly meant in good fun for some people, but said another part was less funny given the damage such figures have caused throughout history.
He said being compared to people who have killed others and made millions of people miserable was something he did not believe he had ever done in his life. He said there was a mix of feelings, acknowledging the intent was light-hearted and did not go that far, but that it sometimes revealed a lack of political or human awareness among people.
The 'Mobutu' nickname
Mbappe also addressed the nickname "Mobutu", given to him by his France and former Paris Saint-Germain team-mate Ousmane Dembele. The nickname references Mobutu Sese Seko, the dictator who ruled the Democratic Republic of Congo, then known as Zaire, as president between 1965 and 1997.
Mbappe said Dembele had taken the nickname from social media and that it was simply meant for fun between them.
Some fans displayed the dictator-themed memes during the World Cup this summer, with speculation the trend grew out of the level of power Mbappe is said to command at both club and international level.
