Kylian Mbappé has said he's not a big fan of the viral memes of himself portrayed as a dictator.
The "dictator Mbappé" meme portrays the France and Real Madrid superstar wearing a military uniform. Its origin is unknown but it has grown in prevalence online over the past year.
Mbappé said that although he saw some humor in the meme, he also didn't want to forget the damage caused by actual dictators in the past.
"It is in part funny because you get the sense that, for some people, it's all in good fun," Mbappé said an interview with France Football. "But there is also the part that is not so funny, because we know the damage people like that have caused throughout history.
"To be compared to people who murder others, or who have caused misery for
millions and millions of people — I don't think I've ever done anything like that in my life. So there's a mix of things.
"On the one hand, I know it's done in a lighthearted way and it isn't meant to be taken too far, but it perhaps shows a lack of political and human awareness in people."
Kylian Mbappé reacts to the "Dictator" memes 😭
— Ballon d'Or (@ballondor) September 11, 2026
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Mbappé was then reminded that his France teammate Ousmane Dembélé jokingly refers to him as "Mobut" — a reference to Mobutu Sese Seko, the dictator who served as president of Congo DR — then called Zaire — between 1965 and 1997.
"Ousmane, he is something different," Mbappé said with a laugh. "He found it on social media! With him, it's just for fun."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kylian Mbappe does not enjoy the dictator memes of himself
