Mbappé apologizes after meme comments about Mao spark China backlash

Kylian Mbappé, striker for Real Madrid, issued a public apology on October 27, 2026, after comments made during an interview on YouTube channel ESN Media's "The Bridge" program triggered a significant dispute with China. When asked about his favorite meme, Mbappé responded by describing a video featuring his face superimposed on the body of someone he called "a Chinese dictator"—an apparent reference to Mao Zedong, who led China from 1949 to 1976.

The remarks provoked swift reactions across China. Three major Chinese companies announced the termination of sponsorship agreements with the player: Mengniu, China's largest dairy producer; Milkground, a cheese manufacturer; and Dongpeng, a leading beverage company. Social media platforms Weibo and Xiaohongshu (RedNote) suspended Mbappé's accounts, which had more than one million followers combined. Global luxury brands including Dior and Hublot removed promotional posts featuring the player from Chinese social media. State broadcaster CCTV suspended transmission of LaLiga matches, and trending hashtags on Weibo criticized Mbappé's remarks.

Mbappé published an apology in English, French, and Mandarin Chinese, stating: "During a recent interview, I reacted to an image of myself. My comment was reckless, and I now understand that it hurt many people in China and in Chinese communities around the world. I apologize to everyone who felt offended by my words. This was absolutely not my intention. I have deep respect for the Chinese people and their history, and I am truly sorry." He also emphasized his respect for China and its history.

The Chinese government responded cautiously. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated on October 28 that China takes the apology "seriously," while state media framed the incident as "inappropriate comments about China" without directly naming Mao. LaLiga, the Spanish football league, issued its own formal apology, stating that the comments were made in a personal capacity and did not represent the organization. League president Javier Tebas emphasized LaLiga's commitment to preserving its long-standing relationship with China and noted that the league had implemented awareness and communication protocols with clubs and players to prevent similar situations.

Despite the apologies, criticism of Mbappé persisted on Chinese social media platforms. Some users called for boycotts, while others stated he should not visit China. Before the controversy, state media had described Mbappé as a "football sensation" and "talent" admired by Chinese fans, with his image featured on billboards and in advertisements across the country. He was also known by the affectionate nickname "Guigui" (turtle in Mandarin) due to perceived resemblance to a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles character.