Orelsan Responds too Mbappé Controversy: “It’s a Misunderstanding”
Paris, france – Five days after a fiery exchange on social media, French rapper Orelsan is attempting to de-escalate the situation with football superstar Kylian Mbappé, emphasizing that the controversy stems from a misunderstanding. The artist, known for his introspective lyrics, explained his viewpoint on his latest album and film, “Civilisation,” and the now-infamous line that sparked the footballer’s ire.
“I don’t particularly want to talk about Mbappé as I haven’t really expressed myself yet,” Orelsan confided to Fun Radio this Wednesday, aiming for a tone of appeasement after an initial weekend of quiet. “I’m still hot, I still don’t really want to talk about it. First of all, it’s a misunderstanding. And I think I need to re-explain the concept of the album and the film. That’s what I need to do.”
The controversy ignited following the release of Orelsan’s new album, “Civilisation,” and its accompanying film, “Yoroi,” which premiered in cinemas on October 29, 2025. Both projects delve into the artist’s internal struggles, particularly his battle with an “inner critic.”
The “Inner Critic” and the Mbappé Line
This internal struggle is a central theme in the album, most notably in the track “La petite voix” (The Little Voice). It was a specific lyric in this song that drew the attention of Mbappé: “you will sink your city like the Mbappé.” This line, Orelsan explained, was a reference to the perceived poor performance of Stade malherbe Caen, a football club that Orelsan has supported for years. Crucially, since the summer of 2024, the club has been owned by Mbappé and his family.
Mbappé, clearly unimpressed, fired back on his X account last Friday with a scathing post: “You are welcome to save your city Orelsan. PS: the guy just begged us to get in with 1% (you capital) without paying as he doesn’t have any money but to have the good image of the little guy from normandy,”
he wrote, referencing Orelsan’s Norman roots.
Orelsan’s Description: A Deeper Dive into the Concept
Speaking to Fun Radio, Orelsan elaborated on the concept behind the controversial lyric. He described the “inner critic” as a manifestation of negativity that consumes him, forcing him to focus solely on the downsides.
“It’s about how we deal with all the negativity,” Orelsan detailed. “This negative stuff creates a kind of inner critic inside me that will start to eat at me and force me to only see the negative. It’s a big theme of the album.”
When pressed by the radio hosts about whether the entire incident might have been a publicity stunt, the 43-year-old artist offered a wry smile and a suggestive, “Maybe.”
This echoes his earlier comments to Ouest-France on Saturday, where he expressed a desire to “think rather than respond directly.”
For sports fans, the situation highlights the frequently enough-unforeseen intersections between the worlds of entertainment and professional sports. While Orelsan’s artistic expression is rooted in personal introspection, the global reach of figures like Mbappé means that even seemingly abstract lyrical content can ignite passionate responses and public debate. The rapper’s current approach suggests a strategic move to clarify his artistic intent, hoping to move past the “misunderstanding” and allow his work to be judged on its own merits, rather than through the lens of a social media spat.
