RU EN DE
AKM-Junior Krasnoyarskie Rysi 2 3 Dynamo Moscow Salavat Ufa 1 2 6′ Chaika Tolpar 4 0 11′ Khimik Gornyak 1 2 4′ Kunlun Dinamo Minsk 2 0 1′ Spartak Moscow Yekaterinburg 1 2 6′ Matches →
Interviews

Mbappé Hits Back at Viral 'Dictator' Memes

The Real Madrid forward says AI memes comparing him to dictators reveal a lack of political and human awareness, though he laughs off Dembélé's 'Mobut' nickname.

Published 1 min read Sportpul editorial
Mbappé in Real Madrid's white kit with red shoulder stripes and the club crest on the chest

Kylian Mbappé has hit back at the viral memes casting him as a dictator, calling the trend a sign of "a lack of political and human awareness" among some fans.

The AI-generated images place the Real Madrid and France Forward's face on the body of authoritarian rulers, in some cases alongside Josef Stalin. Speaking to France Football, the 27-year-old said he saw the joke but drew the line at the comparison itself.

He added that the pictures, whatever the intention behind them, missed something more serious.

Mbappé, who overtook Lionel Messi's career World Cup goals tally by reaching 22, was also asked about "Mobut" — the nickname France team-mate Ousmane Dembélé gave him during the tournament, taken from Mobutu Sese Seko, the former ruler of what was then Zaire. That one, he said, was a different matter.

Real Madrid have had a difficult start domestically: they lost 0-1 at Betis last weekend, with Mbappé's penalty saved by Vallés after a disallowed goal for the home side survived a VAR check.

About this article

Prepared by the editorial team with the help of algorithms, based on the sources listed

Sources 16

Editorial policy Report an error