An article published by Le Canard Enchaîné stated that Kylian Mbappé refused to carry the Olympic flame at the Paris 2024 Games. This information aroused an ironic reaction on the part of the captain of the French team, relayed on X. Mbappé joked that he also wished to be the leader of the French basketball team, while noting that he was on holiday away from France and that he had no particular history with the Olympic Games.

Although recently transferred to Real Madrid, Kylian Mbappé was unable to participate in the 2024 Paris Games. Despite this, Tony Estanget, chairman of the organizing committee, allegedly proposed to him a symbolic role as relayer of the flame at the opening ceremony. This proposal, however, was rejected by the French striker, who particularly wanted to be the last bearer of the flame, the one who would light the Olympic basin.

Finally, the role of flame relayer at the opening ceremony was attributed to two emblematic figures of French sport: Teddy Riner and Marie-José Pérec, both Olympic gold medallists on several occasions. The history of the proposal rejected by Mbappé illustrates the complexity of the choices and expectations that accompany participation in a sporting event of this magnitude.