Mladenovic discusses backlash over Mbappé meme reference
By The BriefBrief
French-Serbian sports writer and analyst Igor Mladenovic told France 24 that backlash in China over Kylian Mbappé’s playful reference to a meme depicting him as Mao Zedong illustrates how an apparently innocuous anecdote by a football star can escalate into a geopolitical controversy.
WHO:Igor Mladenovic, speaking with François Picard on France 24
WHAT:Mladenovic said backlash in China over Mbappé’s reference to a Mao Zedong meme shows how a seemingly innocuous anecdote can escalate into a geopolitical controversy.
WHEN:Reported Oct 28, 2026 at 8:20 AM ET
WHERE:Luxembourg
WHY:Mladenovic said the backlash followed Mbappé’s playful reference to a meme depicting him in the likeness of Mao Zedong.
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