Kylian Mbappé Faces Backlash in China Over Controversial Remarks
Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé is losing endorsement deals in China following comments perceived as disrespectful toward Mao Zedong.
According to Khaosod Online, French footballer Kylian Mbappé is facing significant fallout in China after a talk show appearance where he discussed internet memes. During the interview, Mbappé mentioned laughing at a meme featuring his face edited onto an image resembling Mao Zedong, referring to the figure as a "Chinese dictator."
This comment has triggered widespread backlash across Chinese social media and football forums. Dongqiudi, a prominent Chinese football platform, issued a statement condemning the remarks as "inappropriate" and offensive to the Chinese people. Consequently, several Chinese companies have begun terminating endorsement contracts with the Real Madrid star. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian addressed the situation, stating that behavior hurting the feelings of the Chinese people naturally faces opposition from society.
For residents and travelers in China, this incident highlights the high sensitivity surrounding political figures and historical symbols. While the original video clip has been removed, the controversy continues to escalate online. It remains to be confirmed how many additional brands will sever ties with the athlete and whether this will impact his future professional engagements within the Chinese market. Observers note that the public sentiment is particularly harsh given Mbappé’s previous popularity and commercial presence in the country.
