The Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu has severed ties with Kylian Mbappé, stating that its contract with the football star ended after he featured in a 2024 advertisement that gained significant attention. On Tuesday, Mbappé’s Xiaohongshu account, which boasted over a million followers, was suspended for “violating community guidelines,” reports BritPanorama.
While the companies did not elaborate on the specific actions leading to this suspension, it followed the circulation of a clip from an interview with Mbappé that had been broadcast in the spring on the French online talk show “The Bridge.” In this footage, Mbappé, known for his dominant presence in football, made light of an image depicting him as a historical figure resembling a dictator.
His comments have provoked backlash in China, where he was accused of showing disrespect to a country that represents a crucial market for his career. During the interview, he indicated a preference for a meme featuring his likeness superimposed onto an image of Mao Zedong, a comparison that did not sit well with viewers.
“Words and actions that hurt the feelings of the Chinese people will naturally be met with a collective boycott by all sectors of Chinese society,” remarked Guo Jiakun, a spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry, during a regular briefing in Beijing.
Historically, foreign athletes have occasionally faced severe repercussions in China for insensitive remarks. In 2019, NBA broadcasts were significantly impacted after a manager expressed support for Hong Kong’s anti-government protests. More recently, former NBA player Dwight Howard faced outrage for his comments regarding Taiwan.
Further developments included a statement from the state-run Global Times, which indicated that Mbappé’s projects and advertisements within China had been suspended. “Mbappé is not an isolated case. He has now paid the price, and deservedly so,” the publication remarked, cautioning other public figures about the consequences of missteps in the Chinese market.
After reports of suspensions affecting the broadcasts of La Liga, where Mbappé plays for Real Madrid, the league responded by distancing itself from his comments. La Liga President Javier Tebas expressed regret over the situation, emphasizing that the league would not allow individual actions to jeopardize its relationship with China.
In a social media apology, Mbappé acknowledged that his remark was “ill-judged” and hurt many in China and among Chinese communities globally. He expressed his deep respect for the Chinese people and stated, “I sincerely apologize to everyone my words have upset. This was absolutely not my intention.”
