Mbappe's Marrakech AFCON Moment Draws CAF Praise and Quiet Frenzy
29 December 2025
Mbappe's Marrakech cameo draws CAF praise
French striker Kylian Mbappe wrapped up his winter break with a memorable stop in Marrakech. On Sunday night, before rejoining Real Madrid's group training scheduled for Monday, the forward was spotted in the stands watching the Africa Cup of Nations showdown between Ivory Coast and Cameroon, the country of his father's origin. He wore a T-shirt bearing the name of a close friend and former PSG teammate, Achraf Hakimi, a nod that sparked smiles among fans. His discreet presence drew surprised glances from spectators. His appearance drew cheers that briefly turned the Moroccan night into a glam event, with cameras flashing as fans recognized him.
Not long after, Mbappe even popped into the locker room around the 15-minute mark, joined by his brother Ethan Mbappe, Lille's midfielder also enjoying the winter break. The moment drew a warm welcome from CAF president Patrice Motsepe, who posted a grateful Instagram caption thanking Mbappe for backing Morocco 2025 and elevating the tournament's world-wide profile.
Mbappe wasn't alone in the stands; fellow Real Madrid teammate Aurélien Tchouaméni and Barcelona defender Jules Koundé were also seen watching from another section of the stadium. Some fans joked this was Mbappe's pre-season friendly dip into global football diplomacy.
Punchline 1: If football were a passport, Mbappe would stamp it in January.
Punchline 2: Marrakech woke up tonight—even the camels lined up for selfies with him.
