A wave of memes comparing French soccer sensation Kylian Mbappé to a “dictator” has swept across social media this year.
The trend has spread well beyond France. Some Kazakh TikTok creators have even gained attention in the U.S. by dressing in military uniforms associated with dictators while reenacting Mbappé’s gestures and on-field behavior.
The meme gained significant traction during the first half of 2026 for several reasons.
Why did the meme become popular?
Following Xabi Alonso‘s departure from Real Madrid, some fans accused Mbappé of wielding excessive influence behind the scenes and even helping bring about the coach’s exit.
One incident after Real Madrid’s defeat in the Spanish Super Cup became a focal point of the online discussion. According to the narrative circulating among fans, Alonso wanted the team to form a guard of honor for Barcelona’s players, but Mbappé signaled to his teammates not to participate. As a result, the players allegedly followed Mbappé rather than their head coach.
Whether true or not, the episode reinforced a broader online perception that the French forward has enormous influence over both Real Madrid and the French national team. Some fans jokingly claim that Mbappé decides which players should be signed or sold and who should be in the starting lineup. Others exaggerate even further, suggesting he makes every important decision himself.
Origins of the “dictator” meme
Jokes about Mbappé’s “unlimited power” first emerged during his time at Paris Saint-Germain.
In 2022, French President Emmanuel Macron publicly urged the striker to remain at the club, something Mbappé later acknowledged. The episode fueled the perception that he possessed extraordinary influence within French football.
Around the same time, some fans began referring to him as “Mobutu,” a reference to former Congolese dictator Mobutu Sese Seko.
One of the earliest viral images depicting Mbappé as Mao Zedong appeared on Reddit on Nov. 17, 2024. The image was widely shared and became one of the foundations of the current meme.
The trend gained additional momentum following Alonso’s departure from Real Madrid and subsequent online debates involving the team’s captaincy.
How do French fans view it?
Many French fans reject the idea that the memes reflect reality. They see Mbappé as the team’s leader and captain but argue that the key decisions are still made by head coach Didier Deschamps. In their view, Mbappé’s confidence and ambition are simply qualities expected of a star player.
Supporters also point to Mbappé’s relationship with Deschamps as evidence that the two work closely together. During major international tournaments, the pair have frequently been seen discussing tactics during matches. After scoring, Mbappé has often celebrated with his coach, and when substituted, he has shown respect by embracing Deschamps before leaving the field.
A joke rather than reality
Mbappé’s stature in world football is undeniable. He remains one of the game’s leading scorers and is frequently compared with Lionel Messi.
Most French fans consider Mbappé the leader of the national team, but not someone whose authority exceeds that of the head coach. For that reason, the phrase “Mbappé is a dictator” is widely viewed as an internet joke rather than a serious reflection of how the French team operates.
