Kylian Mbappe Faces Commercial Fallout After Mao Zedong Meme Controversy
Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe loses Chinese sponsorship deals following a controversial joke about Mao Zedong. Read the full report on the fallout.
POLICY WIRE — Paris, France — French soccer star Kylian Mbappe has issued a formal apology following a wave of backlash and the loss of multiple sponsorship agreements with Chinese brands. The controversy stems from comments the Real Madrid striker made regarding an internet meme that superimposed his face onto the likeness of former Chinese leader Mao Zedong.
The commercial fallout, which resulted in several Chinese companies severing ties with the athlete on Oct. 27, was triggered by a remark Mbappe made about the image. When asked about the meme, Mbappe replied, “I think he was a Chinese dictator,” referring to the depiction of himself as Mao.
The origins of the dictator-themed memes date back to caricatures highlighting Mbappe’s perceived influence at his former club, Paris St Germain. While these images were initially intended as lighthearted satire rather than political statements, the situation escalated when the France captain appeared to laugh at the Mao-themed caricature.
The nickname Mobut had previously circulated among supporters and even entered the French national team’s dressing room, where teammate Ousmane Dembele used the term in footage released by the French FA during the World Cup. However, the transition from locker-room humor to the public mockery of a founding national leader proved to be a significant misstep.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Mbappe expressed regret for his actions. “My comment was ill-judged, and I now understand that it hurt many people in China and in Chinese communities around the world,” he wrote.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
