16-year-old
Sulaymaniyah teen scores local fame for resemblance to French soccer star Kylian Mbappé
SULAYMANIYAH — A 16-year-old boy in Sulaymaniyah has been attracting attention due to his striking resemblance to French football star Kylian Mbappé.
Mohammed Ahmed, originally from Salah Al-Din governorate, moved to Sulaymaniyah with his family a decade ago. Over the years, he’s learned enough Kurdish to integrate into the local community.
“When I go to the market, people ask for photos with me. And I enjoy it. Thanks be to God,” Mohammed said, describing the public’s reaction to his resemblance to Mbappé, who is globally recognized for his speed and skill on the football field.
He shared that the attention he receives is mostly positive. “People treat me kindly. They call out to me, and things like that,” he said.
While he enjoys taking photos with fans, Mohammed revealed that he sometimes charges for longer videos. “If someone wants a longer video, I charge a fee. But if it’s just a couple of minutes, I do it for free,” he explained.
The resemblance first gained attention when a friend posted Mohammed’s photo on social media, quickly earning him local fame. Despite his likeness to the football star, Mohammed admits he isn’t much of a footballer himself.
“I dropped out of school in third grade and turned to sports. I feel like my future lies in athletics,” he said, noting that he still maintains basic literacy skills.
Looking ahead, Mohammed expressed a desire to contribute to Iraqi sports. “I want to lift up the Iraqi team. Iraq should rise,” he said, sharing his hopes for the future.
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