The FIFA World Cup has been a big deal on social media this year, especially where memes are concerned, and now, French footballer Kylian Mbappé has inspired a meme and slang term with just one simple word: nothing.

The term is "Mbappé Special," and it's being used as a replacement for the word "nothing" in a series of memes that are going viral all over TikTok.

But where does the "Mbappé Special" come from, and what is the full context of the memes? Here's what you need to know.

@snowymogsu This kinda funny #mbappe #fyp #funny #trend #coolboy ♬ original sound – rafaprodz

What Is The 'Mbappé Special' Meme?

At the beginning of July 2026, Vanity Fair hosted an interview with French football and soccer star Kylian Mbappé. During one moment in the interview, Mbappé says that he's learning how to cook.

The interviewer asks him what the "Mbappé special" is, meaning what dish is his speciality. Mbappé answers, "For example, nothing," and claims he's still trying to improve his cooking skills.

The clip was uploaded to the Vanity Fair TikTok account and went viral with over 14 million views in a week. Many viewers found Mbappé's answer funny and decided to turn the "Mbappe Special" into a meme.

@vanityfair

did someone say mbappé special… full video at our link in bio ⚽️

♬ original sound – Vanity Fair

How Is 'Mbappé Special' Used In Memes And As Slang?

The idea of the Mbappé Special being "nothing" stuck out as funny to some TikTokers. These TikTokers began posting comedy videos with captions that use "Mbappé Special" as a stand-in for the word "nothing," effectively turning the term into a viral piece of slang.

One popular version of the meme is a video where a hungry person looks in the fridge for food, only to find the Mbappé Special, meaning nothing.

Other prominent memes include a comedy skit about a breakup, where the relationship turns into the "Mbappé Special," and a video of someone opening a menu at a restaurant only to find it blank, joking that they're only offering the Mbappé Special.

@xbr2k

GG’s

♬ original sound – efectivomedia

What Are Some More 'Mbappé Special' Memes?

@ariazzxx_ Mbappe special #targetaudience #moka #fyp #relatable ♬ original sound – ██████████

@slidetackletok Ball knowledge required 😭😭 #memes #footballtiktok #soccertiktok #mbappe #viralvideos ♬ original sound – Odie

@ultrazens sometimes in the life I’m too competitive #fortnite #fyp #reload #mbappe #mbappespecial ♬ son original – 2Kspammm

@sainttv10 for example nothing #viral #relatable #blowthisup #viraltiktok #foryou ♬ son original – 2Kspammm

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For the full history of the Mbappé Special memes, be sure to check out Know Your Meme's encyclopedia entry for more information.