Mbappé Apologizes After Mao Remark Sparks Brand Fallout

Kylian Mbappé issued a formal apology on Tuesday after comments about Chinese leader Mao Zedong triggered a wave of criticism and financial losses for the soccer star.

The Real Madrid forward stated in a written release that his remark was ill-judged and that he now understands the words hurt many people in China and in Chinese communities globally.

“I apologize to everyone my words have upset,” Mbappé wrote. “This was absolutely not my intention. I have deep respect for the Chinese people and their history, and I am sincerely sorry.”

The apology comes after a video clip circulated on social media platform X, showing Mbappé being interviewed for the French online show The Bridge.

In the footage, the star was asked about his favorite meme of himself. He responded by referencing a video featuring a man he identified as a Chinese dictator. The clip then displayed an altered image placing Mbappé’s face on the body of Mao Zedong, who is wearing a blue suit.

Mao Zedong led the Communist Party to victory in a civil war and founded the People’s Republic of China. While he is revered by many, his legacy includes the Great Leap Forward, an industrialization project that resulted in a famine killing an estimated 30 million people.

Soccer fans online often joke about Mbappé’s dominance on the field by calling him a dictator. Memes depicting him as Mao or other autocratic leaders have been widely shared in recent years.

Business partners in China reacted swiftly to the controversy. Beverage maker Dongpeng, dairy giant Mengniu, and cheese maker Milkground released similarly worded statements on Tuesday announcing the end of their agreements with the player.

Each company stated they oppose any words and actions that hurt national sentiment. The firms did not specify the exact trigger for their decisions but issued the statements after the interview clip went viral.

China Media Group suspended broadcasts of La Liga matches and other games featuring the French star. The media conglomerate also removed advertisements featuring Mbappé and demanded a public apology from both the player and Real Madrid.

The China Football Association lodged a stern protest with Real Madrid. The association demanded that both the club and the player issue a public and formal apology, stressing its opposition to remarks that hurt the feelings of the Chinese people.

La Liga issued a statement expressing deep regret for the offense caused to Chinese fans. The league clarified that the remarks were made in a personal capacity and do not represent the organization. It plans to create a communication protocol for players and clubs to prevent future incidents while working with stakeholders in China to protect its television business in the region.