Kylian Mbappe Addresses Viral 'Dictator' Memes Ahead of Ballon d'Or

Kylian Mbappe has spoken out about the viral memes portraying him as an authoritarian figure, referencing Mobutu, the former leader of the Democratic Republic of Congo. He acknowledged that while some find humor in the jokes, they can also reflect a troubling lack of historical awareness.

In an interview with L’Equipe, Mbappe noted that the comparisons stem from his rise at PSG, where fans humorously suggested he orchestrated the exits of Lionel Messi and Neymar to solidify his role as the team's star. This led to the widespread use of military-themed edits and the nickname 'Mobutu' across social media.

The trend has even reached the locker room, with teammates like Ousmane Dembele engaging with the joke. As he prepares for the Ballon d'Or, Mbappe asserted his belief in being a top contender, claiming no player had a better season than him, despite lacking collective trophies.