Kylian Mbappé Faces Backlash in China Over Mao Zedong Remarks

French football star Kylian Mbappé has faced a significant backlash in China after making remarks that were perceived as mocking Mao Zedong, the founder of the People's Republic of China. On October 27, 2026, a video surfaced in which Mbappé was seen laughing at a meme associating him with a "Chinese dictator". The comments led to the immediate termination of his sponsorship contracts with Chinese companies Dongpeng and Mengniu.

Mbappé quickly apologized for his remarks, stating that it was not his intention to offend. He expressed his regret in a message posted on social media, available in French, Mandarin, and English. However, his apology did not seem to appease the Chinese public, with the state-run television network CCTV stating that it would be judging Mbappé's actions, not just his words.

The fallout from Mbappé's comments extended beyond his sponsorship deals, affecting the Spanish football league, La Liga. CCTV had been broadcasting La Liga matches live, but suspended the transmissions following the controversy. As a result, several matches, including a Real Madrid game, were not shown on October 31. La Liga president Javier Tebas subsequently apologized to the Chinese public for any offense caused.

The Chinese ambassador to Spain, Yao Jing, confirmed on November 6 that discussions were underway with La Liga officials. However, Jing emphasized that these talks were not negotiations, but rather exchanges based on mutual understanding. No date has been announced for the resumption of La Liga broadcasts in China.

Mbappé has faced previous setbacks in his football career, including a penalty shootout loss to Switzerland in the 2021 Euro tournament and a World Cup final defeat to Argentina in 2022. More recently, France's campaign in the 2026 World Cup ended in disappointment, with the team losing to Spain in the semi-finals and then to England in the third-place match.

The Chinese government's response to Mbappé's comments was swift, with the foreign ministry spokesperson warning that such remarks would be met with widespread rejection from Chinese society. Dongpeng, one of the sponsors that terminated its contract, cited a zero-tolerance policy for behavior that offends national sentiments.

The incident highlights the challenges that global sports stars face in navigating cultural sensitivities and geopolitical complexities. As Mbappé and La Liga navigate the fallout from this controversy, they will need to balance their global appeal with the need to respect local cultures and avoid causing offense.

Key points

• Mbappé lost sponsorship contracts with Dongpeng and Mengniu due to his remarks about Mao Zedong.
• La Liga broadcasts were suspended in China following the controversy.
• The incident has sparked a wider debate about cultural sensitivity and geopolitical awareness in global sports.