Kylian Mbappe says dictator comparisons reveal a lack of political and human awareness

Kylian Mbappe says being compared with dictators who killed millions reflects a lack of political and human awareness, although he accepts that the label is sometimes used as a joke.

The Real Madrid forward was given the nickname “dictator” in a satirical social media campaign. Speaking to French newspaper L’Equipe, Mbappe said the description had both a humorous and a more troubling side.

“There is a funny aspect to it, because you notice that some people treat it in good faith,” he said.

“But there is a less amusing side, because we know the damage that people of this kind have caused throughout history. To be compared with people who killed others or made millions and millions of people live in misery…”

Mbappe added: “I do not think I have done anything like that in my life, so there is a mixture of things. On the one hand, I know it is said lightly and does not go that far, but sometimes it reflects a lack of political and human awareness among some people.”

The France international said the way Ousmane Dembele uses the nickname is different. The Paris Saint-Germain winger was the person who used the term for Mbappe on social media, but Mbappe believes it was intended only as banter.

“As for what Ousmane Dembele does, it is different. He was the one who used this nickname on social media. What he does is simply joking and having fun, not trying to hurt me,” Mbappe said.

Mbappe recently helped Real Madrid to a 2-1 victory over Inter Milan in an exciting opening match of the league phase of the 2026-27 Champions League.

Real Madrid are third in La Liga with nine points after three wins and one defeat. Their most recent league match ended in a loss to Real Betis.

The Spanish club are preparing to face Rayo Vallecano on Saturday in the fifth round of La Liga at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Mbappe has also been included among the 30 nominees for the Ballon d’Or, the award presented by France Football, which will be held in October.