Soccer superstar Kylian Mbappé is the latest global name to find himself on the wrong side of Chinese patriotism
Source: Fortune ·
Global celebrities and companies have faced similar backlash in China over comments, imagery, and jokes deemed politically or culturally insensitive.
From the source
Global brands and celebrities have lost the Chinese market over social media posts, promotional events, and trademark lawsuits. Now soccer superstar Kylian Mbappé has joined them. Mbappé, during an appearance on a popular French online talk show, described a meme figure as “a Chinese dictator,” a comment widely perceived as referring to Mao. Within days, three Chinese sponsors cut ties with Mbappé and China Media Group, China’s state broadcaster, said it would suspend broadcasts of LaLiga, Spain’s top soccer league, as well as other games involving Mbappé. Global celebrities and companies have faced similar backlash in China over comments, imagery, and jokes deemed politically or culturally insensitive. Mbappé has since apologized. “My comment was ill-judged, and I now understand that it hurt many people in China and in Chinese communities around the world,” he wrote on X. “I apologize to everyone my words have upset. This was absolutely not my intention. I have deep respect for the…