French football star Kylian Mbappé made a joke that referenced Mao Zedong, the founding leader of communist China. Chinese authorities responded by adding him to a blacklist within the country. Several companies have terminated existing agreements with Mbappé following the incident. Social media platforms in China have become filled with derogatory comments targeting him. The Chinese foreign ministry issued a statement accusing him of hurting the feelings of the Chinese people. Media reports note that the loss includes contracts worth millions of euros. The controversy has sparked a broader discussion about the limits of humor in international contexts.