Ahead of the 2026 World Cup, soccer star Kylian Mbappe decided to shoot his shot by jokingly pitching himself for an NBA contract recently. It began with a locker room moment going viral on X (formerly Twitter). Once Mbappe playfully suggested the career pivot, the NBA’s official X account also did not hold back.
Soccer player Kylian Mbappe pitches for an NBA contract
Following France’s 3-1 victory over Colombia at the Northwest Stadium on March 29, Kylian Mbappe sent fans into a frenzy by teasing a move to basketball. The viral X video captured him dribbling the soccer ball like a basketball before shooting it across the room into a trash can. As soon as the ball landed in the bin, he broke out into a celebration, running across the room in his cleats.
The video caught the attention of both soccer and basketball fans, sparking buzz about Mbappe’s skills and confidence. The official X account for the NBA also reposted the video, writing, “Okay, @KMbappe!” Minutes later, the 27-year-old responded, “10-Day contract???… @NBA,” reposting the same video as the NBA. A few hours later, the NBA replied to Mbappe’s pitch writing, “Kylian Mbappe knows his form is on point!”
For those unversed, the professional basketball league uses the 10-day contract as a tool to cover injury-related roster gaps or to evaluate fringe talent during the demands of the regular season. While this is completely possible, the chances of Mbappe donning a basketball jersey appear slim.
Although the French footballer’s basketball-style shot was impressive, it does not warrant a roster spot on an NBA team. That said, the possibility cannot be completely ruled out, considering how wild things can go in the sports world. Even so, Mbappe is unlikely to make an appearance this NBA season since it is already in full swing. With the FIFA World Cup 2026 fast approaching, the likelihood becomes even slimmer.
Originally reported by Ankita Shaw on Mandatory.