By Basant El-Faramawy
French football star Kylian Mbappé issued a public apology after a joke about a meme depicting him as Mao Zedong ignited a firestorm on Chinese social media, prompting major brands to sever ties and state broadcaster CCTV to suspend La Liga matches.
Clip Sparks Outrage on Chinese Social Media
The controversy erupted Monday night as Mbappé attended the Ballon d'Or ceremony in London. A resurfaced clip showed him naming a meme — where his face is superimposed on a "Chinese dictator" resembling Mao — as the one that makes him laugh the most. The clip spread rapidly on Chinese platforms, where Mao remains a near-sacred figure.
Brands Cut Ties, Broadcaster Suspends Matches
Chinese companies, including World Cup sponsor Mengniu, quickly dropped Mbappé as an ambassador. China Media Group, the parent of state broadcaster CCTV, halted broadcasts of La Liga matches. A foreign ministry spokesperson said words that "hurt the feelings of the Chinese people" would face opposition from all sectors of society.
Mbappé and Real Madrid Issue Apologies
Mbappé said he was "sincerely sorry" for his "ill-judged" comment. His club Real Madrid and the Spanish league La Liga also released apologies. Beijing later stated it was taking the footballer's apology "seriously," though China Media Group has not confirmed whether broadcasts will resume.
Censorship Leaves Many Chinese Unaware of Details
China's internet censorship meant many users did not know exactly what Mbappé said. References to Mao were avoided; netizens referred to "the person on the 100 yuan note" or "the teacher." Screenshots of the meme and interview were shared with the word "dictator" and Mbappé's face blurred out.
Mao's Legacy Divides Opinion
Mao, who founded the People's Republic of China in 1949 and died in 1976, is officially revered as a great revolutionary despite policies that caused a famine killing tens of millions. His portrait overlooks Tiananmen Square, and his embalmed body is on public display. Chinese history books downplay the devastation of his rule.
International Reactions Differ
Outside China, many viewed the backlash as excessive. On platforms like X and Threads, which are blocked in China, users posted memes placing Mbappé's face on Mao and current leader Xi Jinping. Diaspora comments accused the Communist Party of brainwashing, while international observers questioned why a foreign athlete should conform to Chinese political sensitivities.
