What is the controversy between Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe and China? | Football
Real Madrid Star Kylian Mbappé Faces Backlash in China Over Comments About Mao Zedong
Kylian Mbappé, the French football star playing for Real Madrid, has sparked controversy in China following comments he made regarding the late Chinese leader Mao Zedong. The fallout has resulted in the loss of multiple commercial partnerships and prompted state-controlled media to cease broadcasts of La Liga matches.
The incident underscores the delicate balance athletes and brands must navigate within the lucrative Chinese market, where satire and humor about Mao, who governed China from 1949 until his death in 1976, is considered taboo.
Once celebrated in China, Mbappé’s popularity has drastically declined as the controversy has incited outrage among the nation’s 1.4 billion residents. Despite his attempts to mitigate the situation with an apology, the backlash on Chinese social media continued unabated.
What Did Mbappé Say?
A video surfaced showing Mbappé, a 2018 World Cup champion, appearing to joke about a “Chinese dictator” during an interview. Although he did not explicitly name Mao, he referred to the funniest internet meme he had seen, which featured his image altered onto that of a Chinese leader.
The video, reportedly filmed in April, was disseminated by a French football podcast, The Bridge, and became widely circulated on social media, only to be subsequently removed.
Memes and Misinterpretations
“Dictator Mbappé,” a term coined by European media, refers to memes that position his likeness over images of historical military and political figures, humorously suggesting his influence at clubs. In a prior interview, Mbappé acknowledged the humor in such memes but expressed unease at being associated with figures connected to historical tragedies.
The backlash intensified when he appeared to laugh at a meme depicting him as Mao, which many viewers interpreted as disrespectful. Chinese media approached the situation with caution, often choosing not to repeat his remarks but instead emphasizing the need for respect.
Corporate Consequences
Two major Chinese brands, Dongpeng Beverage Group and Mengniu Dairy, have responded by terminating their sponsorship deals with Mbappé. Dongpeng announced its decision, stating it has a “zero-tolerance policy” for behavior that offends national sentiments.
Reports indicate that other global brands, including Dior and Hublot, have also removed promotions featuring Mbappé from Chinese social media platforms. In physical retail locations, such as an Adidas store in Beijing’s Sanlitun district, merchandise associated with the player has reportedly been removed from shelves.
Mbappé’s Apology and China’s Response
In his apology, published on social media in multiple languages, Mbappé acknowledged that his comment was “ill-judged” and expressed his respect for the Chinese people and their history.
The Chinese government has stated it takes his apology seriously. A spokesman for the foreign ministry confirmed that broadcasts featuring La Liga and Mbappé were halted, reinforcing the repercussions of his comments.
La Liga and Real Madrid’s Response
In light of the controversy, La Liga President Javier Tebas met with the Chinese ambassador to discuss the implications and expressed a commitment to maintaining a positive relationship with Chinese fans. Similarly, Real Madrid issued an apology, underscoring its respect for China and its citizens.
The incident has drawn parallels to previous controversies involving athletes speaking on sensitive issues concerning China, where the repercussions often include significant financial losses and strife with local audiences.
