Elon Musk, the world’s most talked-about billionaire and CEO of Tesla, has once again become the center of a global storm — this time involving one of football’s biggest superstars, Kylian Mbappé. Reports circulating online claim that Musk personally offered the French striker an eye-watering $100 million deal to promote the highly anticipated Tesla Pi smartphone. Yet, what has truly shocked everyone is Mbappé’s unexpected — and reportedly cold — response to the proposal.

According to insiders, Musk’s team approached Mbappé with a proposal that was nothing short of historic. The idea was simple: make Mbappé the global ambassador for Tesla’s first-ever smartphone, the Tesla Pi, which is rumored to rival Apple and Samsung in design, power, and AI integration. The campaign would include exclusive appearances, digital ads, and even a limited-edition “Mbappé Tesla Pi” model featuring his signature and branding. For Musk, who has often merged technology with celebrity influence, it was supposed to be a perfect match — youth, innovation, and global fame united.

However, sources close to Mbappé reveal that the Real Madrid star was “polite but distant” when the offer came through. One insider described the footballer’s reaction as “cool, almost indifferent,” adding that Mbappé “showed no real interest” in tying his name to Tesla or its upcoming projects. His response, or lack thereof, reportedly left Musk’s team “stunned and frustrated,” given the sheer scale of the offer.

While it remains unclear why Mbappé chose to turn down or delay the deal, speculation is running wild. Some reports suggest the French forward has grown wary of becoming a “corporate face” for tech billionaires, preferring to focus on his football legacy and humanitarian work. Others hint that Mbappé might not fully align with Musk’s unpredictable public persona or controversial online behavior. “Kylian is cautious,” said one marketing expert. “He understands his image carries enormous value — and attaching it to someone as polarizing as Elon Musk is not a decision he’ll make lightly.”

Unsurprisingly, the story has ignited social media. On X (ironically owned by Musk himself), fans and critics are debating Mbappé’s reaction. Some are applauding him for showing independence and refusing to be swayed by money or fame. Others are questioning whether turning down such a colossal offer was a missed opportunity to make history. The hashtag #MbappeVsMusk quickly began trending, with users joking that “even $100 million can’t buy Mbappé’s attention.”

For Musk, who thrives on spectacle and disruption, the silence from Mbappé may be the one thing he didn’t expect. The Tesla CEO has built his empire on bold risks and fearless partnerships, but this incident proves that not everyone is willing to orbit around his influence. Meanwhile, fans are left wondering whether this is the end of the story — or the beginning of a bigger game between one of the world’s richest men and one of its most powerful athletes.

Whatever the truth may be, one thing is certain: when Elon Musk offers $100 million and gets ignored, the world notices. And Kylian Mbappé, with a single silent move, may have just reminded everyone that power doesn’t always bow to money — sometimes, it stands quietly above it.