On Wednesday, videos spread across social media depicting outraged Chinese fans setting fire to Mbappé jerseys and tearing down promotional posters featuring the Real Madrid striker. This backlash followed comments made by the French footballer, in which he referred to Mao Zedong as "a Chinese dictator" during an online interview.
The controversy ignited after a clip from Mbappé's interview on the online show The Bridge surfaced. When questioned about his favorite meme, Mbappé replied, "The one that makes me laugh the most is where they use my face on a Chinese dictator. I often share it with my friends."
The viral image humorously places Kylian Mbappé's face over the iconic portrait of the People's Republic of China founder, as part of an internet joke portraying the player as a "dictator" due to his influence in soccer.
In response, one video shows a fan setting ablaze the French national team jersey numbered 10, declaring a "deep boycott" and vowing never to forgive Mbappé. Additional footage from EFE displays advertising posters of the forward being trampled and torn apart. A hashtag calling for a boycott of Mbappé and Real Madrid spread rapidly on Chinese platforms, with one related video surpassing 430 million views by Wednesday.
The institutional and commercial repercussions were swift. State television CCTV halted LaLiga broadcasts starting the night of October 26 and withdrew advertisements featuring Mbappé. Three Chinese companies—Dongpeng, Mengniu, and Milkground—terminated their contracts, citing "zero tolerance for actions that offend national feelings." The sports portal Dongqiudi even replaced his name in the 2026 Ballon d'Or rankings with a phrase meaning "such person does not exist."
China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned that "words and actions that hurt the feelings of the Chinese people will be rejected by all sectors of society."
Faced with the magnitude of the backlash, Mbappé issued a statement on Tuesday in French, Chinese, and English, describing his comments as a "slip": "I understand today that it has hurt many people in China and within the global Chinese community. I apologize to all those whom my words have shocked. It was never my intention."
Real Madrid joined in on Wednesday with an official statement expressing "profound respect for China, its history, culture, and citizens." Meanwhile, LaLiga clarified that the comments "were made in a personal capacity and do not represent LaLiga," announcing a "cultural awareness and communication protocol" to promote cultural respect. Its president, Javier Tebas, even posted a personal message in Chinese on the social network X.
The economic context underscores the speed of institutional apologies: China Mobile Migu signed an agreement in August 2026 as the exclusive digital partner of LaLiga in mainland China until the 2029/30 season, with a potential value estimated at up to 400 million euros.
Mao Zedong, regarded by international historians as responsible for between 40 and 70 million deaths during peacetime—primarily during the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution—remains a state-protected figure in China. Satires on former leaders associated with the Communist Party are prosecuted under the crime of "defamation of heroes and martyrs." China confirmed on Wednesday that it will not resume broadcasting LaLiga matches and deemed the club's apologies insufficient.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Mbappé and Mao Zedong Controversy
Why did Chinese fans burn Mbappé jerseys?
Chinese fans burned Mbappé jerseys in response to his comment referring to Mao Zedong as "a Chinese dictator" during an interview, which they found offensive.
How did the Chinese government react to Mbappé's comments?
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned that such remarks would be rejected by society and confirmed that LaLiga broadcasts would not resume, considering the apologies insufficient.
What steps did Real Madrid and LaLiga take in response to the backlash?
Real Madrid issued a statement expressing respect for China, while LaLiga announced a cultural awareness protocol to prevent future incidents.