On Tuesday, Kylian Mbappé and LaLiga publicly apologized to China after the state television network CCTV decided to halt broadcasts of the Spanish league. Several Chinese companies also terminated their contracts with the Real Madrid forward following his comments referring to Mao Zedong as "a Chinese dictator."
The controversy began when Mbappé, during an interview on the French show The Bridge, was asked about his favorite meme. He replied, "The one that made me laugh the most is where they use my face on a Chinese dictator. I often share it with my friends." Although he did not name Mao specifically, the reference was clear: a video had recently gained popularity that superimposed the footballer’s face over the iconic portrait of the founder of the People’s Republic of China.
While Mbappé described it as a humorous meme, it alludes to one of history's most lethal leaders. International historians and political scientists classify Mao Zedong as a dictator who wielded absolute power from 1949 until his death in 1976. He is held politically responsible for 40 to 70 million deaths during peacetime, primarily during the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution. This makes him, according to most historians, the 20th century leader responsible for the largest loss of human life, exceeding even Adolf Hitler and Joseph Stalin.
Immediate Backlash from China
In China, Mao's image is legally protected, and satirical portrayals of former leaders associated with the Communist Party are prosecuted as "defamation of heroes and martyrs." Beijing's response was swift. CCTV stopped airing LaLiga matches and any games involving Mbappé, pulling all advertisements and videos. The Chinese Foreign Ministry warned that "words and actions that hurt the feelings of the Chinese people will be rejected by all sectors of society."
Three Chinese companies announced they were ending their commercial agreements with the player. The beverage group Dongpeng, whose ads featuring Mbappé had been prominently displayed in Chinese cities during the 2026 World Cup, cited "zero tolerance for behavior that harms national sentiments." Dairy companies Mengniu and Milkground also ended their collaboration. The sports portal Dongqiudi even replaced Mbappé's name with the phrase "does not exist" in the 2026 Ballon d'Or ranking, where he finished second, behind England's Harry Kane and ahead of Spain's Lamine Yamal.
Economic Motivations Behind Apologies
In light of the widespread backlash, Mbappé released an official statement in three languages from his company Interconnected Ventures in Paris: "That comment was a slip, and I now understand it has hurt many people in China and within the global Chinese community. I apologize to everyone offended by my words. That was never my intention."
The apologies from both the player and the league are primarily driven by economic interests. In August 2026, China Mobile Migu signed an agreement as LaLiga's exclusive digital partner in mainland China until the 2029/30 season, with industry sources estimating the potential value of this deal at up to 400 million euros.
Javier Tebas, the president of LaLiga, expressed regret over the offense caused, clarifying that the comments "were made in a personal capacity and do not represent LaLiga," and apologized "on behalf of LaLiga and all its clubs." Tebas also posted a personal message in Chinese on the social network X. "We cannot allow an individual's action to tarnish this relationship or harm the more than 20 clubs in our professional competitions and millions of Chinese fans," he wrote.
LaLiga has announced the implementation of "a sensitivity and communication protocol to promote respect for different cultures," which marks an institutional submission to Beijing’s pressures, largely motivated by the economic interests at stake.
Key Questions on Mbappé's Controversy and LaLiga's Response
Why did CCTV suspend LaLiga broadcasts in China?
CCTV suspended LaLiga broadcasts due to Kylian Mbappé's comments referring to Mao Zedong as a "Chinese dictator," which were perceived as offensive in China.
How did Chinese companies react to Mbappé's comments?
In response to Mbappé's comments, several Chinese companies, including Dongpeng, Mengniu, and Milkground, terminated their commercial agreements with the player.
What measures is LaLiga taking to address the situation?
LaLiga plans to implement a "sensitivity and communication protocol" to promote cultural respect, aiming to prevent future misunderstandings and maintain its relationship with Chinese partners.