Kylian Mbappé reacts to viral memes comparing him to a dictator | OneFootball

Kylian Mbappé has said he did not entirely appreciate a series of AI-generated social media memes portraying him as a dictator during the World Cup.

The France international was depicted in military uniform, enthroned, or positioned alongside Soviet leader Josef Stalin and other controversial figures.

Speaking to France Football magazine about the images, Mbappé acknowledged the humour, but said he disliked comparisons with individuals linked to historical tragedies.

“There’s a part of it that’s funny because you can tell that, for some people, it’s good-natured," he said.

“There’s also a part that’s a little less funny because we know the damage that people like that have caused throughout history.

“Being compared to people who murder others, or who have made millions and millions of people miserable. ... I don’t think I’ve done that in my life. So there’s a mixture of things.”

The France striker, who overtook Lionel Messi for the most career World Cup goals with 22, added: "I know it’s done in a light-hearted way and that it doesn’t go that far, but sometimes it shows a lack of political and human awareness among people.”

Mbappé acknowledged the humour but said he disliked comparisons with individuals linked to historical tragedies (Reuters)

Mbappé was reminded that his France teammate Ousmane Dembélé gave him the nickname “Mobut," a reference to the former autocratic leader Mobutu Sese Seko.

“With Ousmane, it's something is different,” Mbappé said. "He picked it up from social media. With him, it’s just a joke.”

Earlier this week, it emerged Manchester United opted against making a move for Mbappe in 2015 after remaining unimpressed by a recommendation from scouts.

According to Ryan Giggs, who joined the coaching staff under Louis van Gaal at Old Trafford after retirement, the club was advised to look at a youngster who was then playing for Monaco.

Speaking to the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, Giggs said: They (the scouting team) went to watch him.

“Monaco were playing PSG. So they went to Paris to watch him.

“A few weeks later, I said to this guy (a French contact who recommended Mbappe ), 'How did it go?' and he went, 'Yeah, they weren't too sure about him’, so we just left it, and that was it.'"

Mbappe soon made his senior breakthrough at Monaco, helping the club to the Ligue 1 title in 2017 before joining Paris Saint-Germain for the second highest transfer fee of all time and firing France to World Cup glory. He left PSG for Real Madrid in 2024.