Mbappé condemns AI meme likening him to a dictator as insensitive

Kylian Mbappé criticised a widely shared AI-generated meme that superimposes his likeness onto a dictator’s body, calling it a sign of political and human insensitivity. He told France Football that although the joke may seem light-hearted to some, it downplays the suffering caused by actual tyrants. Mbappé stressed that he has never inflicted such harm and that the comparison is inappropriate.

He noted that the meme is sometimes used by fans to illustrate his on-field dominance, yet it can reveal a broader lack of historical awareness. The player also referenced the nickname “Mobut” that teammate Ousmane Dembele used for him during the 2026 World Cup, a nod to Mobutu Sese Seko, the long-time ruler of the Democratic Republic of Congo.