Kylian Mbappé has apologised to the Chinese people after comments about a meme depicting him as Mao Zedong, the founding leader of the People’s Republic of China, sparked widespread backlash.
In a statement released on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, the Real Madrid forward said his remarks during a recent interview 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. This was absolutely not my intention. I have deep respect for the Chinese people and their history, and I am sincerely sorry,” he said.
The controversy began when Mbappé was asked to identify his favourite meme portraying him as an authoritarian figure.
The French captain referred to an image of a Chinese dictator, prompting the interview clip to show his face superimposed on an image of Mao, the founding leader of the People’s Republic of China. Mbappé did not mention Mao by name.
His comments triggered criticism in China, with some accusing him of disrespecting the country and its history.
The backlash also affected his commercial partnerships. Chinese brands Dongpeng Beverage, Inner Mongolia Mengniu Dairy and Milkground announced that they were ending their ties with the footballer.
Spain’s La Liga, where Mbappé plays for Real Madrid, also apologised and distanced itself from the remarks as criticism intensified.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun warned on Tuesday that comments perceived as offensive to the Chinese people could prompt a collective boycott across Chinese society.
The incident highlights the commercial risks international celebrities can face when their public remarks touch on politically sensitive issues in China.
Read his full statement:
