Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe has apologised for comments about former Chinese leader Mao Zedong after the remarks prompted criticism in China and led several major brands to end their partnerships with him.
Mbappe was reportedly discussing memes on French talk show The Bridge when he said the one that made him laugh most was “the one where there’s a video of a guy, I think it’s a Chinese dictator”. He then laughed as the clip moved to an image resembling Mao, with Mbappe’s face superimposed on it.
The meme forms part of an ongoing joke about the France international, who is sometimes described as a “dictator” because of his influence in football.
In a statement, Mbappe said: “My comment was ill-judged, and I now understand that it hurt many people in China and in Chinese communities around the world.
“I apologise to everyone my words have upset.”
La Liga also issued an apology, saying it “deeply regrets the offence that Kylian Mbappe’s recent comments have caused among Chinese fans”.
Mao remains revered by China’s Communist Party despite the chaotic and often violent nature of his rule, which resulted in millions of deaths. Although a small number of users supported Mbappe on Chinese social media, that is unusual on the country’s tightly controlled internet, where sensitive political issues are generally expected to reflect the position of the party and government.
The interview is no longer available on The Bridge’s YouTube channel, and it is not clear when the programme was first broadcast. It was hosted by Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni. In clips circulated online, Mbappe does not name Mao directly and says he uses the meme “with friends all the time”.
Chinese brands cut ties
The controversy appeared to intensify on Monday night after Chinese football forum Dongqiudi highlighted the comments, describing them as “inappropriate” and saying they “hurt the feelings of Chinese people”.
Clips and screenshots then spread rapidly on Chinese social media. Some users called for a boycott of Mbappe and Real Madrid, while parts of the meme and the reference to “a Chinese dictator” were blurred in some posts.
Dongqiudi said it was “unable to translate” Mbappe’s words because they were “offensive to China and the Chinese people”. That led some users to ask what he had said, as the original material became harder to view.
Mbappe is popular in China and has several major commercial endorsements, but critics accused him of “profiting from the Chinese market yet making remarks that offend the Chinese public”.
One Weibo comment said: “International public figures, in particular, should show greater respect and sensitivity, as national sentiment must never be taken lightly.”
Mengniu, China’s largest dairy producer, said it had “a zero-tolerance policy towards any words or actions that hurt the feelings of the Chinese people”. Drinks company Dongpeng issued a similar statement.
State broadcaster CCTV’s news apps will reportedly no longer feature content involving Mbappe, while Chinese media said CCTV would stop showing La Liga matches. Real Madrid are one of 20 clubs in the league and its most successful team, with 36 league titles.
China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said: “We have noted the relevant reports. Words and deeds that hurt the feelings of the Chinese people will naturally be met with opposition from all sectors of Chinese society.”
