Kylian Mbappé Faces Backlash in China Over 'Dictator' Joke Referencing Mao

Global football star Kylian Mbappé is facing significant backlash in China after allegedly referencing Mao Zedong in a joke about his "favorite meme." The incident has led several major Chinese brands to suspend their partnerships with the French athlete, citing hurt sentiments.

Mao Zedong, the founder of the People's Republic of China, remains a revered figure in the country, despite the tumultuous periods of the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution under his rule. The Chinese Communist Party continues to uphold his legacy as a national icon.

Reports indicate that Mbappé, who is popular in China and has secured numerous endorsements, allegedly stated his favorite meme was one that placed his face on a "Chinese dictator." This comment has been widely criticized online, with some users accusing Mbappé of "profiting from the Chinese market yet making remarks that offend the Chinese public."

In response to the growing public outcry, Chinese state broadcaster CCTV is reportedly suspending broadcasts of La Liga matches. Furthermore, some reports suggest that CCTV's news applications have removed content related to the French striker.

Major Chinese brands, including dairy producer Mengniu and drinks giant Dongpeng, have announced the termination or suspension of their contracts with Mbappé. While the brands have not explicitly linked their decisions to the controversial comment, they have referred to "hurt sentiments" and stated a "zero-tolerance policy towards any words or actions that hurt the feelings of the Chinese people."

The controversy gained traction after a Chinese football forum highlighted the alleged comments on Monday night, describing them as "inappropriate" and "hurt the feelings of Chinese people." The Chinese foreign ministry has also acknowledged the reports, with spokesperson Lin Jian stating that "words and deeds that hurt the feelings of the Chinese people will naturally be met with opposition from all sectors of Chinese society."

Mbappé, who joined Real Madrid in August 2024, has previously been nicknamed "the dictator" in football circles due to his influence. This nickname has also been the subject of memes, including one where his face was superimposed onto a Chinese dictator. In a September interview, Mbappé acknowledged the light-hearted nature of some memes but also noted that they could reflect a "lack of political and human awareness" among people, drawing a distinction between such comparisons and those involving individuals who have caused historical harm.

Neither Mbappé nor the organization that conducted the interview have publicly commented on the recent controversy.