Kylian Mbappé's Apology Taken Seriously After 'Chinese Dictator' Remark

Kylian Mbappé found himself at the center of a diplomatic storm after making comments about Mao Zedong, the late Chinese leader, which reportedly hurt national sentiments and led to a significant backlash in China ¹²³. The incident highlights the sensitivity surrounding Mao’s legacy, even decades after his passing, and underscores the importance of careful consideration when discussing historical figures in China ².

Mbappé’s comments, which involved a reference to a popular meme featuring both him and Mao Zedong, were deemed offensive by many Chinese citizens and garnered widespread attention on social media platforms ²³. The hashtag related to the incident trended with over 600 million views, indicating the substantial impact the remarks had on public opinion ².

In response to the controversy, Mbappé offered a formal apology, acknowledging the ill-judged nature of his comments ¹⁴. However, this did not prevent several Chinese brands from ending their commercial relationships with the footballer. Dongpeng and Mengniu, two major companies, suspended their contracts with Mbappé, potentially affecting his lucrative commercial deals in the country ³.

Furthermore, the fallout extended to the realm of sports broadcasting, with Chinese state television ceasing to air La Liga matches involving Mbappé ³⁴. This decision, alongside the freezing of Mbappé’s social media accounts, demonstrates the seriousness with which the Chinese authorities took the matter ³.

The China Football Association also joined the fray, lodging a stern protest with Real Madrid over the player’s remarks ². This action, along with the widespread social media reaction, suggests that the incident had far-reaching implications for Mbappé’s standing in China ²³.

The commercial impact of the controversy is notable, with Mbappé’s deals in China estimated to be worth up to $30 million annually ². This financial aspect adds another layer to the significance of the incident, highlighting the potential economic consequences of cultural missteps in international business ².

The case of Mbappé echoes previous instances where comments related to China’s political landscape have led to commercial repercussions for individuals and organizations. For example, the NBA faced a six-year ban from China following a comment supporting Hong Kong pro-democracy protests ². Such examples illustrate the delicate balance required when engaging with Chinese audiences and the swift actions taken in response to perceived slights.

What we know

• - Kylian Mbappé made comments about Mao Zedong ¹²³⁴
• - Mbappé offered an apology ¹²³
• - The comments were considered offensive to China and the Chinese people ²³
• - The incident involved a reference to a meme featuring Mbappé and Mao Zedong ²³
• - State television in China stopped broadcasting La Liga matches involving Mbappé ³⁴
• - Some brands dropped Mbappé, and the top Spanish league was suspended from Chinese state TV ²
• - The China Football Association lodged a 'stern protest' with Real Madrid ²
• - The topic trended on Chinese social media with over 600 million views ²
• - Mbappé's accounts were frozen on Chinese social media platforms ³
• - Two major Chinese brands, Dongpeng and Mengniu, ended their contracts with Mbappé ³
• - China's state media described Mbappe's remarks as hurting national sentiments ³
• - The comments were described as 'ill-judged' ¹⁴
• - Several brands and celebrities faced similar issues for comments related to China's political lines ²
• - La Liga issued an apology for the offense caused to Chinese fans ²
• - Mao Zedong's legacy remains sensitive in China, 50 years after his death ²
• - The Great Leap Forward policy under Mao resulted in a famine that killed up to 30 million people ²
• - Mbappé's commercial deals in China could be worth up to $30 million per year ²
• - The NBA faced a six-year ban from China following a comment supporting Hong Kong pro-democracy protests ²
• - The controversy occurred in 2026 ³
• - Mao Zedong is referred to as a late Chinese leader ¹²