Mbappé nicknamed 'Mobut'' by France teammates after Sweden victory

Kylian Mbappé has an official nickname among the Blues — “Kyks”, which he gave himself — but his teammates have apparently adopted another one, far less flattering. In a video published by the FFF after France’s 3-0 victory over Sweden on Tuesday evening in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup, you can hear a player calling the captain for a group photo on the return flight to Boston: “Mobut’, Mobut’, Kylian!”

The voice appears to be that of Ousmane Dembélé. “Mobut’” is a diminutive of Mobutu, the former leader of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, then called Zaire. This nickname has circulated for several years on social media, where internet users, often with the help of artificial intelligence, depict Mbappé dressed as a dictator — in reference to his reputation for wanting to control everything, both at his club and with the national team.

Dembélé’s choice to use this nickname is not insignificant. In a podcast broadcast a few months ago, the PSG winger admitted his passion for documentaries about great dictators, specifically naming Mobutu — which had then drawn a knowing smile from Aurélien Tchouaméni, who was present.

The scene illustrates the camaraderie that reigns in this France squad, which qualified for the Round of 16 after a clear victory over Sweden. Mbappé, who delivered a remarkable performance, appears to take the joke in good humor.