French football star Kylian Mbappé is experiencing significant backlash in China after a video surfaced where he appeared to joke about Mao Zedong, referring to the former Chinese leader as a dictator. The clip, reportedly from a French program called “The Bridge,” triggered swift reactions from Chinese authorities and businesses. State broadcaster CCTV issued a warning that Mbappé's apology would be evaluated based on his future behavior, and La Liga matches featuring Mbappé were suspended by Chinese broadcasters alongside the removal of ads involving the athlete.

In response to the incident, Mbappé issued a public apology on October 27 in three languages—Chinese, French, and English—expressing regret for his comments and emphasizing his respect for Chinese people and their history. La Liga also distanced itself from Mbappé's statements, clarifying that his views do not represent the entire Spanish football league. Despite these apologies, the negative impact continued as Chinese social media platforms such as Xiaohongshu and Weibo muted his accounts, and topics related to Mbappé dominated trending searches on Weibo.

Several major brands quickly severed ties with Mbappé over the controversy. Chinese companies Dongpeng Beverage, Mengniu, and cheese producer Milkground officially ended their partnerships with the forward. Dongpeng had only appointed Mbappé as ambassador for its sports drink Bushuila in April of the same year. Other international brands like On and Dior reportedly removed promotional materials featuring Mbappé in China, although no global contract terminations were announced.

The backlash extends beyond the private sector, with strong condemnation from Chinese official channels such as People’s Daily and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The official commentary platform Renmin Ruiping criticized celebrities who disrespect cultural sensitivities, warning that offending China’s historical legacy is unacceptable for those wishing to profit in the market. A foreign ministry spokesperson emphasized that words or actions offending the Chinese people would be firmly opposed across Chinese society, underscoring the breadth and seriousness of the fallout for Mbappé in China.