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In MyMemeCards, the meme card game, “The Handsome Stranger” is a common card of the Brazilian Memes pack, number 226 of the collection, and the 1st best-known meme of its 300 cards. Here is what the meme means, where it comes from, and how to get its card.
What does the “The Handsome Stranger” meme mean?
The meme plays on the contrast between Rafael's looks and his homelessness, poking at assumptions about what a homeless person “should” look like. It is also used more critically, to question why someone only gets sympathy and help once they are seen as attractive, while other homeless people get ignored.
Where does the “The Handsome Stranger” meme come from?
On October 17, 2012, in Curitiba, homeless man Rafael Nunes approached internet user Indy Zanardo and asked her to photograph him, saying he wanted a shot at becoming famous. Indy posted the photo on Facebook describing their encounter, and the image spread fast: more than 17,000 people shared the post and over 15,000 mentions of “Mendigo Gato” appeared on Twitter. Rafael, who had worked as a model before ending up on the street due to a crack addiction, became national news. The attention helped his family find him and get him into a free rehabilitation clinic.
- 2012Rafael Nunes asks to be photographed in Curitiba and the image goes viral on Facebook and Twitter
How to use the “The Handsome Stranger” meme
- She posted a glammed-up selfie, and people already compared her to the Mendigo Gato.
- He showed up so well-dressed to the party they nicknamed him Mendigo Gato.
- His photo asking for help was so striking it recalled the Mendigo Gato story.
Also searched as
- edits with his face swapped onto other characters
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The “The Handsome Stranger” card in MyMemeCards
| Number | No. 226 |
|---|---|
| Rarity | Common |
| Collection | Brazilian Memes pack |
| Fame | 50/100 · #1 of 300 |
| Recycle value | 5 MemeCoins (15 in Shiny) |
How to get the “The Handsome Stranger” card
Every pack holds 5 meme cards, the first 3 of them Common; The Handsome Stranger comes out of the Brazilian Memes pack as a common card. The pack odds say what each rarity weighs.
Your first pack is free and needs no account. After that a new free pack lands every 10 minutes, up to 3 waiting for you. You can also buy the card with MemeCoins on the market, bid for it at auction, or trade it — and a double recycles into 5 MemeCoins.
Open your free pack
5 meme cards, one of them at least Rare. One free pack per person.
Free · no account needed
Odds per card, averaged over a pack: Common 72%, Rare 23.9%, Epic 3.2%, Legendary 0.56%, Mythic 0.3%, Full Art ≤ 0.1%, Shiny 0.2%. Cards 1 to 3 are always Common, cards 4 and 5 climb the rarities. Rates drop for cards that circulate a lot. Details
Memes like “The Handsome Stranger”
More cards of the Brazilian Memes pack
Frequently asked questions
Who is the Mendigo Gato?
He is Rafael Nunes, a homeless man photographed in Curitiba in 2012 who went viral for being considered strikingly attractive, sparking memes and a debate about poverty and beauty.
What happened to the Mendigo Gato after he went viral?
The attention helped his family locate him, he went through addiction treatment, and he later landed a modeling contract.
Why did the Mendigo Gato become a meme?
Because a photo taken at his own request, posted on Facebook by a stranger, went viral due to the contrast between his looks and his homelessness.
How do I get the The Handsome Stranger meme card?
Open a pack of MyMemeCards: “The Handsome Stranger” is a common card of the Brazilian Memes pack. Your first pack is free, with no account, and you can also buy, trade or win the card at auction.
How rare is the The Handsome Stranger card?
It is a Common card. Rarity decides which pack slot can deal it, and what it is worth on the market.
Sources: Mendigo Gato - Museu de Memes · checked on November 6, 2026.
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Open your free pack: 5 meme cards, no account needed.