Mbappe apologises after Chinese brands cut ties over Mao remarks
French football captain Kylian Mbappe apologised on Tuesday after comments about a meme featuring late Chinese leader Mao Zedong sparked a backlash in China, prompting three companies to end their partnerships with the Real Madrid forward.
The 27-year-old said his remarks were “ill-judged” and acknowledged that they had hurt people in China and Chinese communities around the world.
“I apologise to everyone my words have upset,” Mbappe said in a statement published in French, Chinese and English, adding that offending people had not been his intention.
The controversy erupted after a video circulated online showing Mbappe discussing his favourite internet meme featuring himself. In the clip, he refers to an image of his face superimposed on a man he describes as “some guy — I think he’s a Chinese dictator”, apparently referring to Mao.
The authenticity of the video could not immediately be independently verified by AFP Fact Check.
Chinese brands end partnerships
The backlash quickly spilled into the commercial sphere, with Chinese beverage maker Dongpeng, dairy producer Mengniu and cheese manufacturer Shanghai Milkground Food Tech announcing that they were ending their partnerships with Mbappe.
The companies said they opposed words or actions that hurt the feelings of the Chinese people.
Dongpeng had featured the footballer in advertising campaigns for its sports drinks, while Mengniu had used him in promotional material alongside other international football stars.
The decisions underscore the commercial risks faced by global celebrities whose endorsement deals depend on maintaining positive relationships with Chinese consumers.
La Liga also apologises
The controversy also prompted Spain's La Liga to apologise to Chinese fans, distancing the competition from the footballer's remarks.
The league said it deeply regretted the offence caused by Mbappe's comments and stressed that they had been made in his personal capacity and did not represent La Liga.
Chinese media also reported that state broadcaster CCTV had halted broadcasts involving La Liga and Mbappe, adding to the potential fallout for Spanish football's commercial and audience relationships in the country.
The incident highlights how remarks involving China's political history can trigger swift consequences for international athletes and the organisations associated with them.
Mao, who led the Chinese Communist Party to victory in the civil war and founded the People's Republic of China in 1949, remains a highly sensitive figure in the country.
For Mbappe, the apology represents an attempt to contain a controversy that has already cost him commercial partnerships and placed his relationship with Chinese fans under pressure.
