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Kylian Mbappé’s China crisis shows how sensitive Mao’s legacy remains

Real Madrid forward was dropped by brands for comments Chinese media generally steered clear of outlining It’s been a bad start to the week for the France forward Kylian Mbappé. He missed out on joining the elite roster of Ballon…

By Rebecca Bailey · The Guardian

Published: Wednesday, 28 October 2026 at 10:00 AM

Key Things to Know

Kylian Mbappé sparked controversy in China after referring to Mao Zedong as a dictator while discussing an internet meme.
Multiple commercial brands dropped Mbappé, and Chinese state television suspended La Liga broadcasts from its schedule.
Mbappé, Real Madrid, and La Liga all issued public apologies to Chinese fans and the Chinese public.

The Story in 60 Seconds

Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé faced severe backlash in China after referring to Mao Zedong as "a Chinese dictator" in a video discussing an online meme. The incident led to commercial sponsors cutting ties, Chinese state television suspending broadcasts of La Liga, and the Chinese Football Association issuing a formal protest to Real Madrid.

Mbappé, Real Madrid, and La Liga all released official apologies to address the offence caused. While Chinese media and platforms condemned his remarks without outlining what was said, analysts note the reaction highlights ongoing domestic sensitivities around Mao's legacy.

Read the full article on The Guardian

Kylian Mbappé’s China crisis shows how sensitive Mao’s legacy remains

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