Football Star Mbappe's Mao Comments Spark Major Chinese Boycott

Kylian Mbappé, the Real Madrid forward and French football captain, has become the center of a significant controversy in China following remarks he made that appeared to joke about former Chinese leader Mao Zedong. This incident has led to a cascade of apologies, the suspension of major football broadcasts, and the termination of lucrative sponsorship deals.

The controversy originated from a viral video clip from the French program "The Bridge," in which Mbappé discussed an internet meme. He reportedly described the funniest meme he had seen of himself as one showing his face superimposed on that of "some guy—I think he’s a Chinese dictator." This remark was widely interpreted as a reference to Mao Zedong, who led China until his death in 1976 and is the founding leader of the People’s Republic of China. The authenticity of the video could not be immediately or independently verified, but its circulation sparked widespread outrage.

Mao Zedong's legacy remains a highly sensitive political topic in China, where jokes about the former leader are considered taboo. Historians have linked policies implemented under his leadership to mass starvation and millions of deaths, underscoring the gravity of any perceived disrespect.

In response to the escalating backlash, Mbappé issued a statement in French, Chinese, and English on October 27, apologizing for his comments. He acknowledged that his remarks were "ill-judged" and had "hurt many people in China and in Chinese communities around the world," expressing deep respect for the Chinese people and their history. Spain's La Liga, the organization Mbappé's club Real Madrid plays in, also apologized for the controversy, expressing regret over the reaction among Chinese supporters and stressing that Mbappé's comments were made in his personal capacity, not representing the league's position.

However, these apologies did not immediately quell the fallout. China Media Group (CMG), the state-owned media organization overseeing public broadcaster CCTV, had already announced the suspension of broadcasts of Spain’s La Liga matches on Monday, before the apologies were issued. CMG went further, demanding an apology from Real Madrid, describing it as an "absolute prerequisite" for any future discussions. An unnamed CMG representative further warned on October 27 that Mbappé's apology would ultimately be judged by his subsequent actions, urging Mbappé, Real Madrid, and La Liga to learn from the incident and change their approach. CCTV also withdrew advertisements featuring him and his accounts on Chinese social media platforms Xiaohongshu and Weibo were muted as of October 28.

Commercially, the impact has been severe. Several major Chinese brands announced the termination of their partnerships with Mbappé. These included beverage giants Dongpeng and Mengniu, and cheese maker Milkground. Dongpeng’s sports drink brand, Bushuila, for instance, had unveiled Mbappé as its ambassador in April 2026. Swiss sportswear brand On and luxury fashion house Dior also reportedly removed Chinese promotional content featuring the player, though neither announced a global termination of their relationship. The controversy garnered significant attention on Chinese social media, with four topics related to Mbappé featuring among Weibo’s top 10 searches on October 27, highlighting its prominence.

Broader criticism also emerged from official channels. Renmin Ruiping, People’s Daily’s online commentary platform (the official newspaper of the Chinese Communist Party’s Central Committee), argued that celebrities who cross public boundaries could become liabilities for brands. It emphasized that companies and individuals seeking to profit from the Chinese market while offending its cherished history and culture would not be accepted. China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Guo Jiakun, also weighed in, stating that "Words and actions that hurt the feelings of the Chinese people will naturally be met with joint opposition from all sectors of Chinese society." The incident adds significant pressure on the football star as Chinese businesses and state media continue to react to his comments despite his public apology.