Real Madrid forward and French national team captain Kylian Mbappe has issued a formal apology after a video featuring “ill-judged” remarks about a meme of former Chinese leader Mao Zedong triggered a massive backlash in China. The controversy has already resulted in the termination of two major sponsorship deals and prompted an official apology from La Liga on behalf of the player and the club.
In a statement published on his social media accounts in English, Mandarin, and French, the 27-year-old athlete expressed sincere regret for his comments. Mbappe stated that his remarks were made in response to an image of himself and were never intended to cause offense. “My comment was ill-judged and I now understand that it hurt many people in China and in Chinese communities around the world,” he wrote. He emphasized his “deep respect for the Chinese people and their history.”
The incident stems from a video clip purportedly filmed in April and circulated this week by a football podcast. In the footage, Mbappe appears to be preparing for a broadcast when he references an internet meme showing his own face digitally superimposed onto that of a figure he described as “some guy – I think he’s a Chinese dictator.” While Mbappe did not explicitly name Mao Zedong, the reference was widely interpreted by Chinese audiences as a slight against the country’s founding leader, who governed from 1949 until 1976. Satire or humor involving Mao remains a strictly enforced social and political taboo in the country.
The commercial fallout for the French star was immediate. Dongpeng, a major Chinese beverage giant, announced the termination of its contract with Mbappe with immediate effect. The company, which had frequently used AI-generated advertisements of the player to promote its products during the FIFA World Cup, stated it maintains a “zero-tolerance policy” toward any conduct that “offends national sentiments.” Mengniu, the largest dairy producer in China, also cut ties with the forward, who previously enjoyed immense popularity and a following of millions on regional social media platforms.
Recognizing the potential for long-term damage to its brand in the Asian market, La Liga issued a formal condemnation and apology. The Spanish league clarified that Mbappe’s comments were made in a personal capacity and do not represent the organization. La Liga President Javier Tebas also addressed the situation, stating that the league deeply regrets the discomfort caused in China. Tebas noted that the league is working directly with partners in the region to resolve the tension, adding that a relationship built over many years should not be dismantled by a single episode.
Official reaction in Beijing underscored the gravity of the situation. A spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry, when asked about the incident, noted that actions which hurt the feelings of the Chinese people are naturally met with “joint opposition from all sectors of Chinese society.” State-backed media outlets echoed this sentiment, reporting that respect is not optional for international figures seeking to profit from the Chinese market.
In the wake of the remarks, national television has reportedly halted broadcasts of all matches and events involving both La Liga and Mbappe. Furthermore, all existing advertisements featuring the player have been pulled from domestic media. On social media platforms like Weibo, the incident dominated discourse, with multiple topics related to the controversy appearing in the top 10 trending searches. Some users have called for a total blacklist of the athlete to diminish his commercial influence within the country.
