Creator of the Mbappé-Mao Zedong meme at the heart of a controversy

Younes Khelifi, known under the pseudonym “frenchaicovers” on X, detailed to So Foot how his Mbappé‑Mao Zedong montage propelled his account to the centre of an international controversy involving the Real Madrid footballer and China, according to RMC Sport.

Origin of the meme and initial spread

The montage was posted on Younes Khelifi’s X account in August 2023. It pairs Kylian Mbappé’s face with the features of Chinese leader Mao Zedong.

Soon, the post was shared massively, attracting the attention of French media and triggering the first online comments.

Mbappé’s reaction and commercial fallout

Kylian Mbappé responded by calling Mao Zedong a “dictator”, which fueled the controversy. Following his remarks, several Chinese brands announced a boycott of the captain of Les Bleus and the broadcast of his Liga matches was suspended.

“When I see that it ends up on the 8 pm news, that it impacts the broadcast rights of the Liga, it’s crazy,” Younes Khelifi said in the columns of So Foot.

Kylian Mbappé faces the breakup of partnerships in China

Personal consequences for the creator

Younes discovered the magnitude of the scandal by checking his phone on Tuesday morning, writing: “I get up and see that I am at the origin of a diplomatic incident.” This realization immediately spread across the networks.

He wondered about possible legal action, asking whether the “Mbappé clan” could claim him. “If you sue me, Mbappé, I’m financially broke,” he joked.

Wanting to anticipate potential complications, he considered contacting the French embassy in China and expressed a desire to travel to the country soon.

At work, his colleagues commented: “It’s incredible what you did, it’s taking crazy proportions!” He plans to call his mother to explain, noting “My mother doesn’t know yet.”

RMC Sport relayed the interview, while So Foot published all the confessions, highlighting the unexpected impact of a simple meme on sporting and diplomatic relations.