Kylian Mbappé apologizes over Mao remark amid China backlash
Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé apologizes for remarks about Mao Zedong, leading Chinese brands to drop partnerships and media blackouts.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Kylian Mbappé issues formal apology for comments regarding Mao Zedong.
- Chinese brands including Dongpeng terminate endorsement contracts.
- State broadcaster CCTV suspends La Liga broadcasts and content.
- Weibo trends dominated by backlash and brand boycott calls.
Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé has issued a formal apology after making remarks regarding late Chinese leader Mao Zedong that sparked widespread backlash in China, prompting multiple major Chinese brands to sever commercial ties with the global football star.
The controversy erupted following an online running joke that dubbed the French striker a dictator due to his commanding influence in football. Mbappé's subsequent comments referencing the historical figure drew intense anger from Chinese internet users and fans who accused him of profiting from the domestic market while offending national sentiments.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Mao Zedong remains a deeply sensitive political figure in China as the founder of the People's Republic of China in 1949. Despite the immense turmoil during his rule, the ruling Communist Party protects his legacy from critique, making public jokes or offhand remarks by international figures a severe infraction in the eyes of local regulators and consumers.
As online outrage intensified, commercial partners moved swiftly to distance themselves. Beverage giant Dongpeng released a statement declaring a zero-tolerance policy toward any behavior offending national sentiments. Furthermore, state media reported that national broadcaster CCTV would halt all content featuring the French player and suspend broadcasts of Spanish league matches.
The digital backlash peaked on Tuesday afternoon when five of the top ten trending topics on Weibo centered on the controversy, with hashtags regarding brand terminations topping the charts. Clips of the incident quickly circulated across social platforms with sensitive references redacted by users.
"My comment was ill-judged, and I now understand that it hurt many people in China and in Chinese communities around the world,"
Kylian Mbappé
The incident highlights the delicate balance international sports stars must maintain when engaging with massive commercial markets like China, where nationalist sentiment and political reverence take precedence over casual banter, instantly jeopardizing lucrative multimillion-dollar partnerships.
Source: BBC World
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