Mbappe faces backlash in China for meme fiasco

Kylian Mbappé, a French soccer star and captain for Real Madrid, faced backlash in China after laughing at a meme that depicted Mao Zedong, who led communist China from 1949 until his death in 1976. The incident occurred during an interview on a French talk show, where Mbappé jokingly referenced the meme showing him as Mao. In response, two major Chinese brands, Dongpeng and Mengniu, severed their advertising partnerships with Mbappé due to his "offensive" comments about Mao, who is revered in China despite his controversial legacy.

The companies stated they oppose any behavior that offends national sentiments. The controversy intensified when Chinese social media platforms joined the criticism, echoing official statements from the government. On October 28, 2026, Mbappé issued a public apology for his comment, acknowledging it was "ill-judged." French football authorities supported Mbappé’s efforts to move forward, noting that he had apologized and did not intend to offend anyone.

This incident highlights the risks athletes face in the lucrative Chinese market where satire about historical figures like Mao remains highly sensitive.