Mbappe Apologizes Over Mao Zedong Remark as Chinese Companies End Sponsorships

Kylian Mbappe has apologized after a viral video appeared to show him referring to China’s founding leader, Mao Zedong, as a dictator. The controversy led three Chinese companies, Dongpeng, Mengniu and Milkground, to end their sponsorship partnerships with the Real Madrid forward. Chinese state broadcaster CCTV also suspended La Liga broadcasts and removed advertisements featuring him. Mbappe expressed regret and respect for the Chinese people, while Chinese authorities said they would consider his apology and monitor his future actions.

HOW THE CONTROVERSY STARTED

French football star Kylian Mbappe has apologized after a video circulated online showing him apparently referring to China’s founding leader, Mao Zedong, as a dictator. The remark triggered backlash in China, where public criticism of Mao remains politically sensitive.
The video reportedly showed Mbappe discussing his favourite internet meme, which placed his face on the body of a man he described as a Chinese dictator. The image appeared to depict Mao, who founded the People’s Republic of China in 1949 and ruled until his death in 1976.

MBAPPE ISSUES AN APOLOGY

Mbappe acknowledged that his comment was poorly judged and said he understood that it had hurt people in China and Chinese communities around the world.
He expressed regret, stressing that he had not intended to offend anyone and that he respected the Chinese people and their history.

COMPANIES WITHDRAW SPONSORSHIP SUPPORT

The controversy had commercial consequences for the Real Madrid forward. Three major Chinese companies, beverage producer Dongpeng, dairy company Mengniu and cheesemaker Milkground, announced that they were ending their partnerships with him.
The companies said they opposed words and actions that hurt national sentiment.
China Media Group, which oversees state broadcaster CCTV, also suspended broadcasts of Spain’s La Liga matches and removed advertisements featuring Mbappe. La Liga separately apologized, explaining that the footballer’s comments were made in his personal capacity and did not represent the league.

WHY MAO REMAINS A SENSITIVE SUBJECT

Mao remains a revered figure in China, although his rule was marked by devastating political campaigns. One of the most damaging was the Great Leap Forward, which contributed to a famine that killed tens of millions of people.
China’s ruling Communist Party acknowledges some of Mao’s mistakes but maintains that his achievements outweighed them. As a result, public criticism of his legacy remains politically sensitive.

CHINA SIGNALS THAT IT WILL WATCH MBAPPE’S ACTIONS

China’s state broadcaster said it would consider Mbappe’s apology while also paying attention to his future conduct. The country’s Foreign Ministry stated that remarks considered offensive to the Chinese people would face opposition from different sections of society.
The incident highlights how a brief comment by an international sports star can have consequences beyond football, affecting commercial partnerships, television coverage and relations with audiences in major markets such as China.