Kylian Mbappé’s 'Mbappé Donatello' Meme Explained After 2026 World Cup Surge

Kylian Mbappé’s face-matching meme with *Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles*’ Donatello just flared up again during the 2026 World Cup. The joke started nine years ago when his PSG teammates first tagged him “Mbappé Donatello” in 2017.

How did Kylian Mbappé get the ‘Mbappé Donatello’ nickname?

On September 8, 2017, Mbappé’s PSG teammates pulled a prank during his welcome event. They mocked his resemblance to Donatello, the blue-masked ninja turtle from the cartoon, and the name stuck. The moment went viral when a video of the prank spread online the same day.

When did the meme first explode beyond PSG?

By December 2017, three fans stormed the field at a Ligue 1 clash between Rennes and PSG dressed as Ninja Turtles to honor Mbappé. A fan’s video posted on X by @philousports turned the stunt into a global meme within hours. The joke then ricocheted across social media for years, popping up whenever Mbappé hit the headlines.

How have fans kept the meme alive in big tournaments?

After Mbappé suffered a facial injury at EURO 2024, fans begged him to finish the tournament in a Ninja Turtle mask. On June 17, 2024, X user @Jitu172 posted a mock-up of Mbappé in a turtle shell, sparking another wave. The meme flared again during the 2022 World Cup and again in 2026 as France marched deep into the tournament with Mbappé leading the attack.

What’s next for the ‘Mbappé Donatello’ meme?

With Mbappé still in the 2026 World Cup spotlight, the meme isn’t fading. Every new viral clip of him-whether it’s a training clip or a post-match interview-triggers fresh edits and remixes. The joke has outlived its origin and now rides every big moment, proving that even world-class footballers can’t escape the internet’s playful eye.