Kylian Mbappe has condemned a widely shared meme that places his face on a dictator’s body, arguing that it reflects poor political and humanitarian judgment.
The 27-year-old Real Madrid and France attacker acknowledged that the AI-created image may appear humorous, but said it trivialises deeply serious matters.
Some supporters apparently use the meme online to illustrate Mbappe’s commanding performances, while others see it as a reference to the power he holds within football clubs.
During an interview with France Football, external, Mbappe said he could recognise the joke and understood that some people shared it without harmful intentions.
However, he added that the comparison becomes troubling when considering the suffering dictators have caused throughout history.
He said it was inappropriate to associate him with individuals responsible for killing people or bringing misery to millions, stressing that he had done nothing comparable.
Mbappe maintained that although the meme is usually intended as harmless fun, it can expose a broader lack of political understanding and empathy.
He also discussed the nickname “Mobut”, which France team-mate Ousmane Dembele used for him during the 2026 World Cup.
The name is derived from Mobutu Sese Seko, who governed the Democratic Republic of Congo, previously known as Zaire, as a dictator for 30 years.
Mbappe said Dembele’s use of the nickname was different because he had picked it up from social media and was simply joking.
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