In brief
French striker Kylian Mbappé has been dropped by several Chinese brands after a clip of him referencing a "Chinese dictator" in a meme surfaced online. The footage, which was reportedly aired on the French talk show The Bridge, caused a swift backlash on Chinese social media and prompted statements from the Chinese foreign ministry. State‑run CCTV suspended La Liga coverage, and prominent firms like Mengniu and Dongpeng distanced themselves from the player. The incident has highlighted the delicate balance global sports figures must maintain when engaging with culturally sensitive politics.
Kylian Mbappé, the star forward for Real Madrid, found himself in a diplomatic crisis after a clip of him joking about a "Chinese dictator" in a meme went viral on Chinese social media.
The clip, reportedly aired on the French talk show The Bridge, showed Mbappé laughing over a meme where his face was overlaid on an image reminiscent of Mao Zedong. The footage was removed from the show’s YouTube channel, but screenshots had already spread across Weibo, X and other platforms.
Chinese state media and public figures denounced the remarks. Foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said the comments would naturally provoke “opposition from all sectors of Chinese society”. State broadcaster CCTV suspended all La Liga matches and removed Mbappé‑related content from its news apps.
Several Chinese brands – from Mengniu dairy to Dongpeng beverages – announced a termination of their contracts with Mbappé, citing a “zero‑tolerance policy for comments that hurt the feelings of the Chinese people.” The statements did not specify the exact content in question, but in the context of a growing backlash, many netizens have demanded an explanation.
The incident has reignited debate over the role of international athletes in politically sensitive environments. Mbappé has never publicly refuted the claims, and neither The Bridge nor the star has issued a formal statement to date.
The controversy follows a series of high‑profile memes that portray Mbappé as a dictatorial figure. The nickname has led to a slew of jokes invoking historical dictators, and the player himself has acknowledged that such memes sometimes reflect a lack of political awareness.
As Chinese fans and sponsors react, the fallout could reshape Mbappé’s market presence in Asia and raise questions about cultural sensitivity for athletes worldwide.
