Mbappe says dictator memes show lack of awareness

Kylian Mbappé has expressed mixed feelings about viral social media memes that depict him as a dictator, stating that while some are humorous, the trend ultimately reveals a lack of political and historical awareness. The Real Madrid and France forward addressed the phenomenon in an interview with France Football, published on September 11, 2026. The memes, which gained traction during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, typically feature AI-generated images of Mbappé in military uniforms, seated on a throne, or alongside historical authoritarian figures. The trend has been speculatively linked to reports of his significant influence during his final years at Paris Saint-Germain and a 2024 legal action he took against a kebab shop owner. "Part of it is funny because you can tell that for some people it's all in good fun," Mbappé said. "Part of it is a little less funny because we know the damage people like that have caused throughout history. So being compared to people who murder people, who have made millions and millions of people miserable. I don't think I've ever done that in my life.