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Several Chinese brands have cut ties with French footballer Kylian Mbappé following a backlash over comments referencing the late Chinese leader Mao Zedong. The controversy erupted after viral clips surfaced from a French talk show appearance by the Real Madrid forward.
Backlash on Social Media
Mbappé reportedly mentioned on the French talk show The Bridge that a meme making him laugh the most involved a video of a Chinese dictator. A meme featuring his face superimposed on an image resembling Mao appeared during the segment, referencing the player’s popular nickname “the dictator” due to his influence. The original video is not available on the show’s YouTube channel, and the unverified clips circulating online do not feature Mbappé identifying Mao by name.
As reported by BBC Sport, the controversy began when Chinese football forum Dongqiudi published a statement calling the remarks inappropriate and stating they hurt the feelings of Chinese people. Screengrabs and clips spread rapidly across Chinese social media, prompting demands for a boycott of both the player and his club, Real Madrid.
Corporate and State Response
Major Chinese companies swiftly ended their partnerships with the French striker. Dairy producer Mengniu stated it has a zero-tolerance policy toward actions that offend the public, while drinks giant Dongpeng issued a similar statement opposing behavior that hurts national sentiments.
According to reports in Chinese media and state newspaper The Global Times, state broadcaster CCTV’s news apps removed content related to Mbappé, and CCTV stopped broadcasting La Liga matches. China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated that words and deeds hurting the feelings of the Chinese people will face opposition from all sectors of society.
Sensitivity Surrounding Mao’s Legacy
Mao Zedong remains a deeply sensitive subject in China as the founder of the People’s Republic in 1949, and the Communist Party continues to hail him as a national icon despite the millions of deaths caused by policies such as the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution. Consequently, jokes and memes regarding Mao are viewed as insults to both the party and its protected historical narrative.
Mbappé previously addressed his “dictator” moniker in a September interview with France Football, acknowledging the memes but noting they sometimes reveal a lack of awareness regarding historical suffering. BBC Sport has reached out to Mbappé and Real Madrid for comment regarding the ongoing backlash.
