Mbappé Apologizes After Mao Joke Costs Him Chinese Sponsors

On Tuesday, Kylian Mbappé apologized in French, Chinese and English, saying he understood his comment had hurt people in China and Chinese communities worldwide. The Real Madrid forward’s words came after three Chinese companies ended their ties with him, turning a joke about an online meme into a costly public crisis. He said he had not meant to insult China or its people. ^1,6

Three sponsors, energy-drink maker Dongpeng, dairy group Mengniu and cheesemaker Milkground, announced they were ending their ties with Mbappé. The uproar began when a clip from an interview with French online show “The Bridge” spread across Chinese social media. Asked which meme of himself made him laugh, Mbappé described one featuring a “Chinese dictator”; the clip then showed his face placed over Mao Zedong’s. Mbappé did not say Mao’s name in the clip. Mao led China from the founding of the People’s Republic in 1949 until his death in 1976. ^3,9

That image touched a nerve because Mao remains a respected figure for many in China, despite the painful record of his rule. China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said words that hurt Chinese people’s feelings would meet opposition across society. Chinese platforms also took down promotional content, and Mbappé’s RedNote account could no longer accept new followers. LaLiga president Javier Tebas apologized to Chinese fans on behalf of the league and its clubs, while stressing the comments were Mbappé’s personal views. ^4,9,10

Those lost ties and removed posts leave LaLiga with a broader problem: the league says it is working with Chinese partners and will take steps to prevent a repeat. Tebas said he would work with clubs and players to build understanding and respect for different cultures. The league’s response matters because the dispute could affect its relationship with Chinese broadcasters, sponsors and fans, not just Mbappé’s own image. ^2,10