The Mbappe Faux Pas

The main current controversy involves Kylian Mbappé’s comments about a Mao Zedong meme, which has triggered a commercial and media backlash in China (as of October 27, 2026).

What happened

In a clip from the French podcast/show The Bridge (associated with his Real Madrid teammate Aurélien Tchouaméni), Mbappé was asked about his favorite meme of himself. He referred to one in which his face was superimposed on “some guy — I think he’s a Chinese dictator,” which was a faceswap of him onto Mao Zedong. He said it made him laugh and that he used it with friends. The original video appears to have been taken down or is no longer widely available on the show’s channel; circulating clips show the comment followed by the Mao image.

The clip resurfaced around the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony (where Mbappé finished second to Harry Kane). In China, Mao remains a revered founding figure of the People’s Republic in official narratives, and jokes or irreverence toward him are treated as highly taboo.

Immediate consequences

• Chinese sponsors including beverage company Dongpeng (Eastroc), dairy giant Mengniu, and cheese maker Milkground ended their deals, citing zero tolerance for actions that “offend national sentiments” or “hurt the feelings of the Chinese people.”

• The Chinese Football Association condemned the remarks and engaged with Real Madrid, seeking apologies.

• Reports indicate Chinese state broadcasters (including CCTV) suspended La Liga coverage and removed related advertising/content featuring Mbappé.

• La Liga president Javier Tebas issued an apology on behalf of the league, stressing the comments were personal and not institutional, while emphasizing the importance of the Chinese market.

Mbappé responded with a statement in French, Chinese, and English:

“During a recent interview, I reacted to an image of myself. My comment was ill-judged, and I now understand that it hurt many people in China and in Chinese communities around the world. I apologise to everyone my words have upset. This was absolutely not my intention. I have deep respect for the Chinese people and their history, and I am sincerely sorry.”