Mbappe and La Liga Apologize After China Mao Zedong Joke Sparks Backlash

Kylian Mbappe found himself in the middle of a major backlash after making a joke about former Chinese leader Mao Zedong. The Real Madrid forward’s comment triggered severe diplomatic and commercial consequences, including the cancellation of sponsorship deals and a threat to La Liga's television coverage in China.

Social Media Meme Sparks Outrage

The incident started when Mbappe reacted to a viral video that edited his face onto Mao Zedong's image. He laughed and called Mao a "Chinese dictator," which ignited strong reactions from Chinese authorities and companies. Soon after, China Media Group, the state broadcaster, stopped airing all La Liga matches and removed advertising involving Mbappe.

Major sponsors in China such as Dongpeng, a drinks company, and dairy brand Mengniu swiftly ended their contracts with Mbappe, condemning his remarks as disrespectful to national pride.

Mbappe and La Liga Issue Formal Statements

Mbappe apologized publicly, saying, "I reacted to an image of myself. My comment was ill-judged, and I now understand that it hurt many people in China and Chinese communities worldwide. I apologise to everyone my words have upset. This was absolutely not my intention. I have deep respect for the Chinese people and their history. I am sincerely sorry."

Following this, La Liga president Javier Tebas expressed regret over Mbappe's comments, emphasizing their commitment to Chinese fans and partners: "We deeply regret the statements made by Kylian Mbappe that have caused discomfort and offense in China. We wish to convey our sincere apologies to the Chinese people. Our relationship with China has been built on respect, trust, and cooperation for many years."

Tebas also made clear that the league does not support Mbappe’s views and is working hard to repair the damage: "We cannot allow one individual's actions to harm our clubs or millions of Chinese fans. We are taking measures and cooperating directly with our partners in China to overcome this situation. Our commitment to China remains firm."

Cultural Sensitivities Lead to Swift Corporate Actions

The backlash highlights strict cultural taboos in China, where mocking foundational figures like Mao Zedong is deeply offensive. Before this, Mbappe enjoyed huge popularity, earning the affectionate nickname "Guigui" (meaning Turtle) among Chinese supporters.

Both Mengniu and Dongpeng issued statements emphasizing zero tolerance for behavior that offends Chinese feelings. The situation even drew attention from China's Foreign Ministry, which warned that offensive acts will face unified opposition from across society.

Efforts to Restore Relations Underway

La Liga officials now face urgent negotiations to lift the broadcast blackout imposed by Chinese state media. Javier Tebas aims to secure continued access to one of the league’s most profitable international markets and prevent financial losses for Spanish clubs.

Meanwhile, Mbappe must rebuild his reputation globally. Previously, he described the memes portraying him as a dictator as showing a lack of political awareness. Now, the player will likely focus on his performances on the pitch as Real Madrid progress in domestic and European competitions.

Summary of Key Reactions

China Media Group: Halted all La Liga TV broadcasts and advertising with Mbappe.
Sponsors: Dongpeng and Mengniu ended deals with Mbappe immediately.
Mbappe: Issued an apology acknowledging the hurt caused.
La Liga President Javier Tebas: Apologized on behalf of the league and emphasized ongoing efforts to restore relationships.
Chinese Authorities: Warned that offensive behavior will be met with widespread opposition.