China Forces Mbappé to Apologise After Mao Zedong Remark Sparks Backlash
China Forces Mbappé to Apologise After Mao Zedong Remark Sparks Backlash
French football superstar Kylian Mbappé has apologised to China after comments about a viral internet meme depicting him as former Chinese leader Mao Zedong triggered widespread criticism.
The Real Madrid forward faced backlash after a video circulated online showing him describing Mao as a Chinese dictator. The controversy has affected his commercial partnerships, prompted an apology from Spain’s La Liga, and led Chinese state television to suspend broadcasts involving the football star.
The incident has also raised questions about the risks international celebrities face when their comments offend audiences in important commercial markets.
What Exactly Did Mbappé Say?
The controversy began after footage from an interview with the French online talk show The Bridge circulated on social media.
During the interview, Mbappé discussed his favourite internet memes. He reportedly described one that made him laugh as an image featuring his face edited onto the body of a man he believed was a Chinese dictator.
According to reports by Reuters and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Mbappé said: “I think he’s a Chinese dictator.”
He also reportedly explained that he used the meme with his friends online.
Although Mbappé did not mention Mao Zedong by name, the image showed his face superimposed onto a picture of the former Chinese leader.
The comments appeared to refer to a wider internet trend in which fans edit Mbappé’s face onto images of political and military leaders. The memes joke about his influence at the football clubs where he has played.
However, the reference to Mao triggered a strong reaction in China, where jokes about the country’s founding leader remain highly sensitive. Reuters reported that it could not independently authenticate the video, while other media organisations reported on the footage and its contents.
Why Mao Zedong Is a Sensitive Subject in China
Mao Zedong led the Chinese Communist Party to power in 1949 and became the founding leader of the People’s Republic of China.
He remains a major figure in China’s political history. His legacy, however, is deeply controversial because his rule included campaigns associated with widespread suffering and millions of deaths.
For many people in China, references to Mao carry significant historical and political meaning. Public jokes about him can therefore provoke strong reactions.
The controversy involving Mbappé demonstrates how a comment intended as a casual reference to an internet meme can take on a different meaning when viewed by audiences in another country.
Chinese Brands End Partnerships With Mbappé
The backlash quickly affected Mbappé’s commercial relationships.
Several Chinese companies announced that they were ending their partnerships with the footballer. These included Dongpeng Beverage Group, dairy producer Mengniu and Shanghai Milkground Food Tech.
The companies said they opposed conduct that hurt the feelings of the Chinese people.
The decisions represented a significant commercial setback for Mbappé, whose popularity has helped him secure advertising deals and brand partnerships around the world.
The incident also demonstrated how quickly a public controversy can affect a celebrity’s business relationships, particularly in markets where cultural and political sensitivities carry substantial commercial weight.
Mbappé Issues a Public Apology
On Tuesday, October 27, Mbappé issued an apology in French, Chinese and English.
He acknowledged that his comment had been poorly judged and said he understood that it had hurt people in China and Chinese communities elsewhere.
The footballer also stressed that offending people had not been his intention.
He expressed respect for Chinese people and their history and said he was sincerely sorry.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun responded on Wednesday, saying Beijing took the apology seriously.
However, the statement did not immediately end the controversy or reverse the commercial consequences.
La Liga and Real Madrid Respond
The dispute also created difficulties for La Liga, Spain’s top professional football league, which has an important audience in China.
Chinese state broadcaster China Media Group announced that it was suspending broadcasts of La Liga matches and removing advertisements featuring Mbappé.
La Liga expressed regret over the offence caused by the comments. Its president, Javier Tebas, also apologised to Chinese fans and said the league would work with its partners to address the situation.
Real Madrid subsequently apologised to the Chinese people for any offence caused by the player’s remarks.
The responses reflected concern that the controversy could damage the relationship between Spanish football and its Chinese audience.
What Happens Next?
The incident has become a reminder that international sports stars operate in a global environment where humour and cultural references can be interpreted differently.
Mbappé has apologised, and the Chinese government has acknowledged his statement. However, the status of the terminated sponsorship agreements and suspended broadcasts remains important to the wider dispute.
For now, the controversy extends beyond the original meme. It has become a discussion about cultural sensitivity, celebrity responsibility and the commercial consequences of public remarks.
Mbappé’s experience shows how a brief comment about an internet joke can develop into a major international story, particularly when it involves a politically sensitive historical figure and a market important to global sport.
About the Author
