Kylian Mbappé has apologised after remarks about a meme depicting him as Mao Zedong sparked anger in China. The Real Madrid forward said his words were poorly judged and had hurt people in China and Chinese communities worldwide.
The controversy has also cost him commercial partnerships. At least three Chinese companies have ended their deals with the French football star, while calls for a boycott have spread online. The episode has placed his reputation in a difficult position in one of the world's largest consumer markets.
An Apology After the Backlash
Mbappé issued his apology on Tuesday, saying he understood the impact of his comments.
“My comment was ill-judged,” he said. He added that he was sorry to everyone his words had upset and stressed that he respected Chinese people and their history.
The remarks were linked to a video circulating online. In it, Mbappé appears to discuss a meme showing his face superimposed on an image of Mao, the founder of the People's Republic of China.
He reportedly described the figure in the image as a Chinese dictator. However, Reuters said it had been unable to authenticate the video. The original interview's publication date has also been unclear.
Chinese Brands End Partnerships
The backlash was followed by commercial consequences. Beverage maker Dongpeng, dairy producer Mengniu and cheese company Milkground announced that they were ending their partnerships with Mbappé.
The companies cited opposition to words or actions that hurt Chinese national sentiment. Their statements did not detail the disputed comments, but they came after the video began circulating.
The fallout has extended beyond sponsorships. The Associated Press reported that China Media Group had suspended broadcasts of Spanish league matches and other games featuring Mbappé, while removing advertisements featuring him.
Spain's La Liga also expressed regret over the offence caused to Chinese fans. Its president, Javier Tebas, said the organisation was working with partners in China to address the situation.
Why Mao Remains a Sensitive Figure
Mao led the Chinese Communist Party to power in 1949 and ruled until his death in 1976. He remains a central figure in China's official history, although his rule included campaigns associated with mass suffering and millions of deaths.
His Great Leap Forward campaign contributed to a devastating famine. The Cultural Revolution later brought widespread persecution and political violence.
References to Mao remain politically sensitive in China. The latest controversy has therefore touched on more than a footballer's online humour. It has also raised questions about how international celebrities navigate cultural and political sensitivities in major markets.
A Joke With Wider Consequences
The meme emerged from a wider online trend in which Mbappé is portrayed as a dictator because of his influence within football teams. The player has previously acknowledged that some of these jokes can be amusing, while warning that comparisons with historical dictators can overlook the suffering they caused.
The latest episode shows how quickly an online controversy can affect commercial relationships. Mbappé's apology has acknowledged the offence caused, but the full impact on his standing with Chinese fans and sponsors remains unclear.
For now, the dispute has become a test of how a global sports star responds when a joke crosses cultural boundaries and whether an apology can help repair the damage.
