World

Mbappe apologises after Mao Zedong comment sparks China backlash

French footballer Kylian Mbappe issued an apology after a video showed him making remarks about Mao Zedong, prompting Chinese brands to end partnerships with him.

28 October 2026Tagblick Newsdesk

AI-generatedWritten by an AI system, editorially responsible — how we work

Archive photo: Mbappe apologises after Mao Zedong comment sparks China backlash — Archive photoPhoto: Chen Zhengqing (1917–1966) · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain

Kylian Mbappe, striker for Real Madrid and the French national team, has apologised after comments about the late Chinese leader Mao Zedong drew intense backlash on social media and prompted business consequences. The remarks came in a video interview in which Mbappe commented on an internet meme showing his face superimposed over a photograph, describing it as "some guy, think he's a Chinese dictator", an apparent reference to Mao Zedong.

Several major Chinese brands responded by ending their partnerships with Mbappe. According to reports, the dairy company Mengniu was among the firms that pulled out of deals with the player following the controversy.

Mbappe issued a public apology in which he expressed regret for his words and stated his respect for the Chinese people. He described his comment as "ill-judged", acknowledging the hurt it had caused.

Real Madrid also issued a public apology to the people of China. The club said it joined in Mbappe's public apology and that the player had reiterated his respect for the Chinese people.

China's government responded to the apologies on Wednesday, saying it took them "seriously". According to reports, Mbappe became the latest foreign sports figure to anger Beijing with his remarks.

According to one account, the controversy led to Spanish football being pulled from state television in China. Mocking Mao Zedong is considered taboo in the country, which represents a significant market for players and teams like Real Madrid.

This item was written by an AI system on the basis of the headlines and short teasers of the independently operating newsrooms named below. We disclose this under Art. 50(4), second subparagraph, of Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 (AI Act). Before publication we check origin and verifiability — anything that appears in only one place is not published — as well as language, substance and legally sensitive content. No separate substantive review of each individual item by a natural person takes place; we therefore do not rely on the exemption in Art. 50(4), second subparagraph, of the AI Act. Editorial responsibility for this publication rests with the person named in the imprint (§ 18 Abs. 2 MStV). Please report errors to [email protected] — we will correct or remove the item. Full reports are available from the sources listed.