Emmanuel Macron 'next Rocky Balboa' to go up against Vladimir Putin?

French President Emmanuel Macron’s fresh photos are out in the public, showing his prowess, with people giving mixed reactions to the top official’s stunt.

The images were posted by Soazig de la Moissonnière, his official photographer, on Instagram. A moody black and white filter was used, The Guardian reported.

People on social media compared him to Rocky Balboa, a famous move character played by Sylvester Stallone, while others believed that his timing had significance.

Why so? Well, Macron has been pressing on Europe to up the ante against Russia for its ongoing Ukraine war. Meanwhile, others believe that Macron’s getting training to take on Russian President Vladimir Putin himself.

The Russian president — who was re-elected earlier this week and is set to become Russia's longest-serving leader for more than 200 years if he completes the term — is also no stranger to showing off in photos.

In his piece, Jonathan Bouchet-Petersen opined that the images were a “rather dismaying communication choice”.

Eric Anceau, history professor at the University of Lorraine, said the images were “part of the neo-populist virility that certain leaders are fond of today, starting with the master of the genre (until now) Vladimir Putin”.