Mbappé Apologises For ‘Ill-Judged’ Mao Remark After Backlash in China

Kylian Mbappé has apologised for “ill-judged” comments about late Chinese leader Mao Zedong that triggered backlash on Chinese social media and cost him several brand deals in China.

The Real Madrid forward had reportedly told French talk show The Bridge that the meme “that makes me laugh the most, it’s the one where there’s a video of a guy, I think it’s a Chinese dictator…” He then laughs as clip cuts to meme showing his face superimposed on image resembling Mao.

The meme stems from running joke calling Mbappé a “dictator” because of his huge influence in football.

“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 statement.

“I apologise to everyone my words have upset.”

Spain’s La Liga also apologised, saying it “deeply regrets the offence that Kylian Mbappé’s recent comments have caused among Chinese fans”.

The joke sparked outrage in China where Mao is revered by Communist Party, despite his chaotic and violent rule that left millions dead.

Furore kicked off Monday night after Chinese football forum Dongqiudi flagged comments as “inappropriate” and said they “hurt feelings of Chinese people”.

Screengrabs spread quickly on Weibo, with calls for boycott of Mbappé and Real Madrid. Many users blurred meme and redacted references to Mao, with Dongqiudi saying it was “unable to translate” comments because they were offensive.

Chinese fans accused Mbappé, who is popular and has huge endorsements in China, of “profiting from Chinese market yet making remarks that offend Chinese public”.

“International public figures, in particular, should show greater respect and sensitivity, as national sentiment must never be taken lightly,” one Weibo comment read.

By 2pm local time Tuesday, five of top 10 trending topics on Weibo centred on Mbappé, with hashtag “multiple brands terminate partnerships with Mbappé” topping list.

Chinese brands moved swiftly. Largest dairy producer Mengniu said it “firmly opposes and has a zero-tolerance policy towards any words or actions that hurt feelings of Chinese people”. Drinks giant Dongpeng issued similar statement.

State-owned Global Times reported state broadcaster CCTV’s  news apps will not feature content related to striker, while Chinese media said CCTV will stop showing La Liga matches. Real Madrid is most decorated team in league with 36 titles.

Foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said: “We have noted relevant reports. Words and deeds that hurt feelings of Chinese people will naturally be met with opposition from all sectors of Chinese society.”

The original video is no longer on show’s YouTube channel and it is unclear when interview hosted by Real Madrid’s Aurélien Tchouaméni first aired. In circulating clips, Mbappé does not identify Mao by name, saying he “uses [the meme] with friends all the time”.

It is unclear when Mbappé-Mao meme began but his “dictator” nickname has made him subject of many online jokes about his influence at clubs. In 2024 he sued French influencer and kebab shop owner for using his name in sandwich description, fuelling more jokes. France teammate Ousmane Dembélé also called him Mobut during 2026 World Cup, in reference to former Zaire dictator Mobutu Sese Seko.

In September interview with France Football, Mbappé acknowledged light-heartedness behind memes but said they “sometimes reveal a lack of political and human awareness”.

“There’s a side that’s a bit less funny, because we know damage people like that have caused throughout history,” he said.

“Being compared to people who murder others, or who have made millions upon millions of people miserable… I don’t think I’ve done that in my life.”

BBC