Kylian Mbappe replaced by ‘this person does not exist’ in Chinese Ballon d’Or list

Kylian Mbappe has been removed from a Chinese sports website’s ranking of the 2026 Ballon d’Or after comments linked to a satirical image involving former Chinese leader Mao Zedong.

Dongqiudi, one of China’s largest sports platforms, listed Harry Kane as the winner and Lamine Yamal in third place, but replaced Mbappe’s name in the runner-up position with the Chinese phrase “cha wu ci ren”. The expression translates literally as “there is no such person” or “this person does not exist”.

Mbappe officially finished second behind Kane and ahead of Yamal. However, the ranking published in China on Tuesday deliberately omitted the Real Madrid forward’s name.

The website also used a black-and-white image of Mbappe alongside the altered ranking. It said it would not translate his comments, describing them as offensive to Chinese supporters and the wider public.

The move represents a further escalation in the backlash against the France international, which has developed from an online dispute into a wider sporting and diplomatic issue, according to Spanish newspaper Sport.

Broadcaster also suspends La Liga coverage

The decision by Dongqiudi came days after CCTV, China’s state broadcaster, reportedly stopped showing La Liga matches.

Chinese media reports said the suspension was linked to the same controversy. The dispute could cause significant commercial losses for La Liga and has also placed Mbappe’s commercial prospects in the Chinese market under pressure.

The controversy began with an interview Mbappe gave on The Bridge, a digital programme hosted by his Real Madrid team-mate Aurelien Tchouameni.

Asked about his favourite memes, Mbappe recalled an edited image in which his face had been placed over that of a Chinese leader whom he described as a “dictator”. He said he found the image funny and often shared it with friends.

Although Mbappe did not explicitly name Mao Zedong, Chinese supporters immediately associated his remarks with the meme showing the France forward’s face superimposed on that of the late leader.

Many users viewed the comments as dismissive and disrespectful towards a figure considered central to China’s history. The reaction developed into a wave of criticism, which has now extended to the removal of Mbappe’s name from a prominent Chinese ranking of football’s most prestigious individual award.