In a recent discussion, soccer star Kylian Mbappe found himself at the center of controversy after sharing a laugh about a meme involving the late Chinese leader Mao Zedong. The joke didn’t sit well, resulting in backlash from Chinese sponsors and the banning of his team’s matches on TV across China.
During an interview on “The Bridge,” hosted by his Real Madrid teammate Aurelien Tchouameni, the 27-year-old forward mentioned a meme that amused him—one featuring a video of a figure resembling Mao with his own face added. As the show highlighted the meme, Mbappe smiled, indicating his amusement.
Mbappe is often called “The Dictator” due to his remarkable skills on the field and his significant influence on soccer worldwide. However, it’s worth noting that Mao’s leadership from 1949 until 1976 was marked by policies that led to the deaths of millions.
Amidst the fallout, two major Chinese brands, Eastroc Beverage Group and China Mengniu Dairy Co., severed ties with Mbappe after their stock values took a dip. Similarly, Dongpeng, another beverage company, also announced it would cut its relationship with him.
Reports surfaced that Mbappe’s social media accounts on Weibo and Xiaohongshu had been frozen, marked for violating regulations. Furthermore, state-run CCTV reportedly ceased airing not only Real Madrid games but also all La Liga matches entirely.
Lin Jian, a spokesperson from China’s foreign ministry, expressed strong sentiments regarding Mbappe’s comments, stating, “We have noted the relevant reports. Words and deeds that hurt the feelings of the Chinese people will naturally be met with opposition from all sectors of Chinese society.” This gave a clear signal about the repercussions of the incident.
As pressure mounted, both La Liga and Mbappe quickly issued apologies. La Liga’s statement expressed regret over the offense caused to Chinese fans, emphasizing that Mbappe’s comments were personal and did not reflect the organization’s views.
In a similar vein, Mbappe also apologized, acknowledging that his comments were ill-thought-out and understanding that they impacted many people in China and among Chinese communities worldwide. He expressed that it was never his intention to hurt anyone and reiterated his respect for the Chinese culture and history.
Similarities to the Daryl Morey Incident
This situation echoes back to 2019, when the then-general manager of the Houston Rockets, Daryl Morey, faced severe backlash in China after tweeting support for pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong. That incident prompted many sponsors to withdraw from the Rockets and led to a significant halt in NBA broadcasts on Chinese networks for about a year.
Despite the damages incurred, NBA commissioner Adam Silver stood firm on Morey’s right to free speech, while recognizing that the post had offended many in China. In contrast, LeBron James, deeply tied to Chinese markets through Nike, criticized Morey’s stance, suggesting he was misinformed about the protests, underscoring the complications that come with such comments.
Interestingly, following that tumultuous period, Morey resigned from his position with the Rockets and soon after landed a role with the Philadelphia 76ers, although he was let go from there too last year, around the same time James decided to join the team.
