Kylian Mbappé has issued an apology after major Chinese brands severed ties with the Real Madrid forward following remarks perceived as disrespectful to Mao Zedong, China’s founding leader. The controversy began after a video surfaced in which Mbappé referred to an internet meme showing his face photoshopped onto that of “some guy – I think he’s a Chinese dictator.” The comment was widely interpreted as a reference to Mao.
Mbappé, 27, expressed regret for the remarks, saying he now understands that his words hurt many people in China and among Chinese communities worldwide. In a statement released in French, Chinese, and English, he called his comment “ill-judged” and apologized to those upset by it.
The backlash was swift, with key Chinese sponsors Dongpeng, a major beverage company, and Mengniu, the country’s largest dairy producer, ending their endorsement deals with Mbappé. Dongpeng, which had featured AI-generated advertisements of Mbappé during this year’s World Cup, emphasized a zero-tolerance policy toward behavior that offends national sentiments. The episode became a trending topic on China’s social media platform Weibo, garnering hundreds of millions of views and widespread criticism.
Spain’s La Liga also issued an apology, expressing deep regret over the offense caused to Chinese fans and stressing that the comments were made by Mbappé in a personal capacity and did not represent the league. Following the controversy, Chinese state media reported that CCTV, the national broadcaster, has suspended coverage of Spanish La Liga matches and removed all Mbappé-related advertisements. However, online schedules for upcoming games remained accessible on CCTV’s website, suggesting partial rather than complete blackouts.
Jokes or negative references to Mao remain a sensitive and largely taboo subject in China due to his historical significance and the enduring impact of his policies, which are associated with widespread hardship and millions of deaths. Chinese authorities underscored this sensitivity, with a spokesperson for the foreign ministry stating that words and actions offending the Chinese people would be “met with unanimous rejection from all sectors of Chinese society.”
The incident highlights the broader risks faced by global sports figures engaging with politically sensitive topics in China. Past cases include NBA personalities who faced sponsor withdrawals and media blackouts after expressing views perceived as supportive of Taiwan independence or the Hong Kong protests. Analysts note that companies operating in China often distance themselves quickly from figures linked to controversies that provoke nationalist sentiment or government displeasure.
Mbappé’s comments came shortly after he finished runner-up to Harry Kane in the Ballon d’Or awards. While the French forward reportedly smiled during Kane’s acceptance speech, the off-field fallout continues to affect his standing among Chinese fans, where he had previously enjoyed significant popularity under the nickname “Guigui,” derived from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise.