- Kylian Mbappé faces massive backlash in China after referencing an internet meme that superimposed his face onto an image of Mao Zedong.
- Chinese state media and digital platforms have scrubbed Mbappé’s name, pulled his advertisements, and restricted his social media accounts.
- Major brands like Mengniu Dairy and Estrok are cutting sponsorship ties, leading to immediate stock price declines in Hong Kong and Shanghai.
- The Chinese Foreign Ministry stated that actions hurting the public’s feelings face fierce opposition, echoing previous high-profile international boycotts.
French football superstar Kylian Mbappé has found himself at the center of a massive storm in China after an offhand comment about an internet meme was perceived as disrespectful toward Mao Zedong, the founding leader of the People's Republic of China.
The trouble started during a casual interview when Mbappé was asked which internet meme always makes him laugh. He shared a story about a funny video where his face was digitally pasted onto someone he described as a Chinese dictator. While he didn't call anyone out by name and mentioned he just laughed about it with friends while gaming online, internet sleuths and reports from Taiwanese media outlet ETtoday quickly connected the dots: the meme in question had superimposed Mbappé's face onto an image of Mao Zedong.
It didn't take long for the clip to spark widespread outrage among nationalist users on Chinese social media, with many accusing the athlete of insulting China and calling for a total boycott.
The fallout has been swift and severe:
Media & Broadcasting: China Central Television (CCTV), the state broadcaster, has reportedly pulled ads featuring Mbappé, stopped airing his matches, and scrubbed his name from its official Weibo account. Major football platform Dongqiudi publicly stated that his remarks "hurt the feelings of China and its people" and refused to translate his comments. Meanwhile, the social media platform Xiaohongshu has reportedly restricted his account.
Official Stance: Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun weighed in, noting that any statements or actions hurting the feelings of the Chinese public will naturally face fierce opposition.
Sponsorships & Business: The controversy is hitting Mbappé right in the wallet. Chinese brands Estrok Beverage Group and China Mengniu Dairy—both of which had him signed on as a brand ambassador—have reportedly announced plans to cut ties. The market response was immediate, with Estrok's shares tumbling up to 4.1% in Shanghai and Mengniu dropping about 3% in Hong Kong. Swiss footwear brand On Holding also quietly removed promotional posts featuring him from their Chinese channels, though they haven't yet confirmed if they are ending their 10-year partnership.
This situation echoes past high-profile clashes between foreign brands, sports figures, and Chinese public sentiment, reminiscent of the 2019 NBA backlash and consumer boycotts faced by companies like Nike and H&M.
Despite the intense backlash, reports point out that Mbappé never explicitly named Mao or expressed any deliberate intent to insult China. Whether this blows over or leaves a lasting scar on his massive commercial footprint in the region remains to be seen.
