Key Highlights
- Chinese sports portal Dongqiudi erased Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé from its 2026 Ballon d’Or standings, substituting his name with the phrase “no such person exists” and displaying his image in black and white.
- The backlash follows an interview in which Mbappé remarked on an internet meme superimposing his face over a “Chinese dictator,” widely understood as a reference to Mao Zedong.
- Major Chinese commercial partners have terminated their endorsement deals with the French international, while state broadcaster CCTV reportedly suspended its LaLiga broadcasts.
Dongqiudi Erases Kylian Mbappé from 2026 Ballon d’Or Standings
Prominent Chinese football platform Dongqiudi has effectively erased Kylian Mbappé from its coverage following mounting outrage in China over the Real Madrid forward’s recent public statements. In its published ranking of the 2026 Ballon d’Or results released on Tuesday, the sports portal listed award winner Harry Kane of England and third-place finisher Lamine Yamal of Spain. However, in the runner-up slot secured by Mbappé, the platform removed the French international’s name entirely, replacing it with the Chinese expression “chá wú cǐ rén,” which translates to “no such person exists” or “person not found”.
Alongside the textual omission, Dongqiudi accompanied the standings with a black-and-white photograph of Mbappé. Within Chinese digital culture and social media platforms, this visual style is traditionally associated with mourning and deceased individuals. On Monday, the platform issued a formal statement calling the player’s remarks “unacceptable.” Dongqiudi further stated it would not translate the comments directly, maintaining that repeating them would be harmful to the feelings of football supporters and the broader Chinese public.
Origins of the Controversy: Dictator Meme Comments
The swift digital blackout stems from an interview where Mbappé discussed internet humor and disclosed that one of the “memes” he found most amusing featured his face placed over that of a “Chinese dictator.” While the Real Madrid forward did not expressly name former Chinese leader Mao Zedong, the comparison quickly provoked widespread condemnation across Chinese online platforms and among official bodies.
The fallout quickly escalated beyond online sports communities into diplomatic and institutional levels. China’s Foreign Ministry issued a sharp warning in response to the situation, cautioning that words and actions that “hurt the feelings of the Chinese people will be rejected by all sectors of society.”
Commercial and Broadcasting Fallout Across China
The financial and media repercussions for Mbappé materialized rapidly following the public backlash. Multiple Chinese corporate brands moved swiftly to sever ties with the football star on Tuesday, resulting in the immediate termination of commercial agreements with major companies including Dongpeng, Mengniu, and Milkground.
The controversy has also disrupted sports broadcasting and digital presence within the country. According to reports from The Paper, which cited internal sources from China’s public radio and television network, state broadcaster CCTV moved to suspend its broadcasts of Spain’s LaLiga matches. Concurrently, Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu (also known as RedNote) enacted restrictions preventing users from following Mbappé’s profile and announced it would purge content relating to him, while verifying that its formal commercial partnership with the player had already concluded in 2024.
Why This Matters
This incident underscores the acute sensitivities surrounding national figures and political history in China’s sports entertainment landscape, as well as the significant commercial vulnerabilities top European football stars face in the Asian market. Offhand remarks regarding sensitive political subjects can lead to immediate commercial disassociation from state-linked enterprises, media cancellations, and broader distribution disruptions for entire competitions, as demonstrated by CCTV’s suspension of LaLiga programming. It highlights how digital censorship mechanisms and commercial boycotts in China can swiftly alter an athlete’s global profile and media presence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Dongqiudi replace Kylian Mbappé’s name with “no such person exists”?
Dongqiudi replaced Mbappé’s name with the Chinese phrase “chá wú cǐ rén” (“no such person exists”) and posted his photo in black and white after labeling his interview remarks about a “Chinese dictator” meme as “unacceptable” and offensive to the Chinese public.
Which companies have cut commercial ties with Mbappé over the remarks?
Major Chinese enterprises including Dongpeng, Mengniu, and Milkground officially terminated their endorsement and commercial agreements with the Real Madrid forward.
How have Chinese media and broadcasters reacted to the situation?
Beyond Dongqiudi’s digital erasure, Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reportedly suspended LaLiga match transmissions according to domestic reports, and platform Xiaohongshu blocked users from following Mbappé while taking steps to remove related platform content.
