French soccer player Kylian Mbappé issued a public apology on October 27 after a video circulated online in which he appeared to joke about Mao Zedong, the late Chinese communist leader, as a 'dictator.' The remarks triggered a swift backlash in China, leading to the suspension of sponsorships, broadcast restrictions, and social media account restrictions.
Mbappé’s apology and immediate consequences
On October 27, Mbappé posted an apology in Chinese, French, and English on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), addressing the controversy. The statement followed the removal of his social media accounts on Xiaohongshu and Weibo, as reported by Renmin Ruiping, an online commentary platform affiliated with People’s Daily. Additionally, China’s state broadcaster CCTV suspended coverage of La Liga matches featuring Mbappé and pulled advertisements featuring him. A China Media Group representative stated that while the broadcaster would 'listen to his words,' it would 'watch his actions even more closely.'
The controversy stems from a clip from the French program The Bridge, in which Mbappé discussed a meme depicting his face superimposed onto Mao’s. In the clip, Mbappé referred to the meme as showing his face on 'some guy—I think he’s a Chinese dictator,' according to a report by Reuters. The video’s authenticity could not be independently verified by Reuters at the time of reporting. Multiple platforms, including YouTube and news sites, have since removed similar content following Chinese threats, as noted by Newsweek.
Broader implications for free speech and sponsorship
The incident has reignited discussions about free speech limitations in China and the global reach of Chinese influence. Newsweek framed the backlash as part of a broader pattern of Maoist 'glass hearts' (bolixin; 玻璃心), a term used to describe individuals or entities perceived as overly sensitive to criticism. The outlet suggested that the response reflects a political reality where money and influence are used to suppress dissenting views.
Mbappé’s career and market impact
Mbappé, a Real Madrid forward and French national team player, has faced immediate financial repercussions. Two major brands in China dropped him as a sponsor, according to CNBC. The backlash also disrupted Spanish football broadcasts in China, with CCTV halting coverage of La Liga matches involving the player. The long-term effects on his sponsorship deals and marketability in China remain uncertain, as neither the resumption of broadcasts nor the lifting of social media restrictions had been confirmed as of October 28 by independent sources.
Official responses and ongoing monitoring
Chinese state media has framed the incident as a test of accountability. The China Media Group representative emphasized that Mbappé’s apology would be judged not by words alone but by subsequent actions. CCTV’s decision to suspend broadcasts and advertisements signals a hardline stance on perceived disrespect toward Mao Zedong, a figure central to modern Chinese political identity. The incident has also drawn attention to the role of social media platforms in enforcing content restrictions in China, where platforms like Weibo and Xiaohongshu operate under strict government oversight.