Mbappé Apologises Over Mao Meme as Chinese Sponsors Cut Ties

Kylian Mbappé has apologised for “ill-judged” comments about a meme linked to Mao Zedong, after three Chinese companies ended sponsorship deals with the Real Madrid and France forward and China’s state broadcaster suspended coverage of Spain’s La Liga. The row, which erupted on Chinese social media on Monday, has quickly become one of the most damaging commercial controversies of the 27-year-old’s career.

Mbappé posted his apology on X on Tuesday in Chinese, French and English, while La Liga issued its own statement of regret.

What Did Mbappé Say?

The remarks came during an appearance on the French talk show The Bridge, hosted by his Real Madrid team-mate Aurélien Tchouaméni. According to the BBC, Mbappé said 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…”, before the clip cut to an image of his face superimposed on a picture resembling Mao. The joke draws on a running gag that calls Mbappé a “dictator” because of his influence in the dressing room. In the circulating clips he does not name Mao.

The comments were highlighted on Monday night by the Chinese football forum Dongqiudi, which called them “inappropriate” and said they “hurt the feelings of Chinese people”. Within hours, the BBC reported, five of the top ten trending topics on Weibo centred on Mbappé, with some users calling for a boycott of the player and of Real Madrid.

What Was in His Apology?

“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 his statement. La Liga said it “deeply regrets the offence that Kylian Mbappé’s recent comments have caused among Chinese fans.”

Which Sponsors Have Dropped Him?

• Dongpeng Beverage: Its sports drink brand Bushuila had unveiled Mbappé as an ambassador only in April, CNBC reported.
• Mengniu: The dairy giant ended its partnership.
• Milkground: The cheesemaker also terminated its deal.
• On and Dior: Both reportedly removed Chinese promotional content featuring Mbappé, according to the Chinese outlet Phoenix, cited by CNBC, though neither announced a global termination.

CCTV’s news apps stopped featuring content related to the player and the broadcaster halted La Liga coverage, according to the Global Times and Chinese media reports cited by the BBC. “We will listen to his words, but watch his actions even more closely,” a China Media Group representative said on 27 October, urging Mbappé, Real Madrid and La Liga to learn from the incident, CNBC reported. His accounts on Weibo and Xiaohongshu, each with about a million followers, were also muted.

How Has the Chinese Government Responded?

China’s foreign ministry weighed in. 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,” according to the BBC.

Mao, who founded the People’s Republic in 1949, remains officially revered by the Communist Party despite campaigns such as the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution, during which millions of people died. That makes jokes about him one of the most sensitive topics on China’s tightly controlled internet.

Why Does China Matter So Much to Football?

China is a major market for European football broadcasting and sponsorship. La Liga and leading clubs including Real Madrid have spent years building their fan bases there through tours, social media and commercial partnerships. A suspension of La Liga on CCTV, the country’s most-watched broadcaster, therefore affects not just one player but the whole league and its partners. Previous rows, such as Arsenal’s Mesut Özil’s 2019 comments on the Uyghurs, led to matches being pulled from Chinese television for long periods.

What Happens Next?

Real Madrid has not publicly commented beyond the league’s statement, and it is unclear how long CCTV’s suspension will last. The episode is a reminder of how quickly a throwaway remark can carry commercial costs for global athletes. Follow our Sports News section for updates.

Featured image: Kylian Mbappé playing for France against Spain, July 2026, by Bryan Berlin / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. File photo; image licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Sources

• BBC News — Mbappé sorry for ‘ill-judged’ Mao remark after backlash in China (27 October 2026).
• CNBC — CCTV warns Mbappé as Chinese sponsors cut ties over Mao meme (28 October 2026).
• DW — Kylian Mbappe apologizes to China over Mao dictator remark (27 October 2026).
• USA Today — Why did Kylian Mbappe apologize to China? Mao controversy explained (27 October 2026).