Kylian Mbappé Apologizes for Mao Comment Amid China Backlash

French soccer star Kylian Mbappé issued a formal apology after remarks he made about late Chinese leader Mao Zedong sparked a major backlash across China, resulting in canceled corporate sponsorships and condemnation from sports organizations.

The controversy began after a clip circulated online from an interview ahead of the French online talk show The Bridge. During the segment, Mbappé was asked about his favorite internet meme of himself, replying that it featured a man he believed to be a Chinese dictator, which then cut to an image of his face superimposed on Mao Zedong.

The meme stems from a running joke among soccer fans who jokingly refer to the Real Madrid forward as a dictator because of his massive influence on the pitch. Following the circulation of the interview, the backlash in China was swift and intense.

“My comment was ill-judged, and I now understand that it hurt many people in China and in Chinese communities around the world,” Mbappé said in a statement. “I apologize to everyone my words have upset. This was absolutely not my intention. I have deep respect for the Chinese people and their history, and I am sincerely sorry.”

Major Chinese brands quickly moved to distance themselves from the player. Beverage maker Dongpeng, dairy giant Mengniu, and cheese maker Milkground announced they were ending their agreements with Mbappé, stating they oppose any words or actions that hurt national sentiment. Social media platform RedNote also removed promotional materials tied to the player and restricted his account.

Official institutions in China also reacted strongly. The China Football Association lodged a formal protest with Real Madrid, demanding public apologies from both the club and the player. Meanwhile, China Media Group suspended broadcasts of La Liga matches and other games featuring the French striker.

Spain's La Liga issued a statement expressing deep regret over the offense caused to Chinese fans, emphasizing that Mbappé's remarks were made in a personal capacity and did not represent the league. The organization announced plans to implement communication protocols for players to prevent future incidents.

Mao Zedong remains a deeply sensitive and revered figure within China due to his role in founding the People's Republic of China, despite a complex historical legacy that includes millions of deaths during the Great Leap Forward. Because of this reverence, jokes and memes regarding Mao are viewed as severe insults to the ruling Communist Party and the nation's history.