Kylian Mbappé’s Xiaohongshu Account Muted and Blocked From New Followers Amid Controversy

French football star Kylian Mbappé’s account on Xiaohongshu, also known as RedNote, was muted and made unavailable for new followers on October 27, 2026, according to Chinese media reports. The development follows an online controversy involving a video in which Mbappé reportedly discussed an internet meme featuring a Chinese historical figure. The incident has drawn widespread attention and added to the scrutiny surrounding his public image and commercial partnerships in China.

Jiemian News reported on October 27 that Mbappé’s account, identified as “k.mbappe姆巴佩,” displayed a notice stating that the account had been muted for violating relevant community rules. The account was also blocked from gaining new followers, marking a further development in the controversy.

Xiaohongshu’s official platform-governance account, “Xiaohongshu Shuguanjia,” issued a statement the same day saying that the platform firmly opposed any conduct that hurt national sentiment. The statement clarified that Xiaohongshu had worked with Mbappé on content in 2024, but that the cooperation had expired on December 31, 2024. The platform said it was continuing to review and remove related materials.

The timeline is important. Xiaohongshu’s statement confirms that its earlier content partnership with Mbappé had already expired before the current controversy. The account restriction should therefore be understood as a platform-governance measure, rather than automatically interpreted as a newly announced termination of an active commercial partnership.

The account action came after several Chinese companies announced that they were ending their relationships with the footballer. Dongpeng Beverage, Mengniu Dairy and Milkground were among the companies that issued statements on October 27 confirming the termination of their cooperation with Mbappé. Their announcements cited opposition to words or conduct considered harmful to the feelings of the Chinese people.

The developments highlight the reputational risks facing international athletes in a global media environment. Sporting achievements remain central to an athlete’s career, but public statements, cultural awareness and responses to controversy can also affect relationships with fans, social platforms and commercial partners. Remarks made in one cultural context may be interpreted very differently in another.

As of the latest reports, it remained unclear when, or whether, Mbappé’s Xiaohongshu account would return to normal operation. The platform had not announced a completion date for its review, and further developments may depend on the outcome of that process and any public response from the footballer.

The incident has renewed discussion about platform rules, celebrity accountability and cross-cultural communication. Any assessment of the controversy should distinguish confirmed platform actions and corporate announcements from unverified claims, while allowing further evidence and official statements to clarify the circumstances.