Kylian Mbappé apologises after China sponsors end deals over Mao meme row
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KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Three Chinese companies have ended commercial partnerships with Kylian Mbappé.
- The Real Madrid forward apologised after his comments about a meme apparently depicting Mao Zedong triggered backlash.
- China's state broadcaster suspended La Liga coverage, escalating the dispute beyond sponsorship deals.
The controversy has also escalated beyond sponsorship deals. China Media Group (CMG), which oversees state broadcaster CCTV, suspended broadcasts of La Liga matches.
The incident comes just days after Mbappé finished second to Harry Kane in the 2026 Ballon d'Or rankings. Instead of celebrating another impressive season, the Madrid star now faces a significant commercial and reputational challenge in one of the world's largest consumer markets.
What did Kylian Mbappé say about Mao Zedong?
The controversy originated during an interview connected with the French online programme The Bridge.Asked about the internet meme that had made him laugh the most, Mbappé described an image featuring his face edited onto that of a man he believed was a Chinese dictator.
The one I laughed the most at is one where they put a video of a guy, I think he is a Chinese dictator, and they put my face on it. I use it a lot with my friends online.Although he did not explicitly identify the individual as Mao Zedong, the image circulating online appeared to depict the former leader, who founded the People's Republic of China in 1949 and remained in power until his death in 1976.
Mbappé was discussing a meme about himself rather than delivering a direct political statement about China. Nevertheless, jokes involving Mao remain highly sensitive in the country, where public references to the former leader can attract strong criticism.
The backlash gathered momentum on Chinese social media, where users criticised the remarks and called for commercial partners to distance themselves from the player.
🇫🇷🇨🇳 ‼️ | Las marcas chinas Dongpeng y Mengniu rompieron su vínculo con Kylian Mbappé, luego de que el futbolista calificara de "dictador" a Mao Zedong al reaccionar a un meme con su rostro sobre el del líder chino. https://t.co/X6Bxg0Hrqg
— Visegrád24 (ES) (@visegrad24es) October 27, 2026
Mbappé issues apology in three languages
On Tuesday, 27 October, Mbappé responded to the controversy with an apology issued in French, Chinese and English.The forward acknowledged that his comment had been poorly judged and that it had hurt people in China and Chinese communities around the world.
My comment was ill-judged, and I now understand that it hurt many people in China and in Chinese communities around the world.China's Foreign Ministry responded on Wednesday, 28 October, saying it took the apology seriously. However, the response did not immediately resolve the wider dispute.
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.
Three Chinese companies terminate their partnerships with Mbappé
Three major Chinese companies announced that they were ending their commercial relationships with Mbappé following the controversy.Dongpeng Beverage
Dongpeng Beverage, the drinks company that had used Mbappé to promote its sports and electrolyte beverages, announced the immediate termination of its cooperation with the player.Its statement said the company opposed behaviour that offended national sentiments and maintained a zero-tolerance policy on the matter.
The decision was particularly significant because Mbappé had featured prominently in the company's advertising campaigns during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Mengniu
Mengniu, one of China's largest dairy producers, also confirmed that it was ending its partnership with the French forward.The company's announcement echoed the position taken by Dongpeng, stating that it would not tolerate words or actions considered offensive to the Chinese people.
Mengniu has an established presence in international sport, including major football and Olympic sponsorships. Its decision therefore highlighted the potential commercial consequences of the controversy.
Shanghai Milkground Food Tech
Shanghai Milkground Food Tech, a dairy and cheese producer that had also used Mbappé in its marketing, joined the other companies in ending its commercial relationship with him.The three companies did not provide detailed explanations of the specific incident in their initial termination statements. However, their announcements followed the online backlash surrounding the interview clip.
China suspends La Liga broadcasts
The controversy has also affected Spanish football's relationship with China.China Media Group, the state-owned organisation responsible for CCTV, announced that it had suspended broadcasts of La Liga matches following the incident. The reported measures also covered advertising featuring Mbappé.
The suspension represents a broader problem for the Spanish league because its commercial relationships with Chinese broadcasters and partners extend beyond any single player.
La Liga president Javier Tebas apologised to Chinese fans on Tuesday, saying that the organisation regretted the offence caused by Mbappé's comments.
I have deep respect for China, its institutions and its people, and I value the trust with which, for so many years, they have supported our football.
As president of La Liga, I take on the responsibility of working with our clubs and players to strengthen awareness of and respect for different cultures. We want to nurture this relationship through action, and we will implement concrete measures to help ensure that situations like this do not happen again.
Real Madrid also apologise to China
Madrid issued their own apology on Wednesday, 28 October, acknowledging the offence caused by Mbappé's comments.Our club maintain a deep respect for China, its history, its culture and its citizens, as well as for the millions of Chinese fans who feel affection and admiration for Real Madrid.The statement was an important development because the controversy had begun to affect the club's wider relationship with Chinese supporters, not just Mbappé's personal sponsorship portfolio.
Chinese state media had criticised Madrid for what they viewed as an inadequate response to the incident. The club's apology followed growing pressure for them to address the issue directly.
It remains to be seen whether the apology will be sufficient to restore the relationship with Chinese broadcasters and commercial partners.
Mbappé's name removed from a Chinese Ballon d'Or ranking
The reaction has also reached Chinese football media.Dongqiudi, one of China's prominent online football platforms, removed Mbappé's name from its version of the 2026 Ballon d'Or rankings and replaced it with the Chinese expression chá wú cǐ rén, meaning approximately "no such person" or "no person found."
It also used a black-and-white image of Mbappé and said it would not translate the remarks because it considered them offensive to Chinese fans.
The move was another indication of how the controversy had moved beyond individual complaints to affect the player's presence across Chinese football-related media.
It also created an unusual contrast with the Ballon d'Or ceremony in London, where Mbappé had been recognised as one of the world's leading players despite missing out on the main award.
Why the Mao meme controversy has had such a big impact
The reaction in China is partly explained by the history and cultural significance of Mao Zedong.Mao was the founding leader of the People's Republic of China and remains a central figure in the country's official historical narrative. Satire involving him is particularly sensitive, making comparisons with the former leader a serious issue for many Chinese audiences.
The memes involving Mbappé also have a longer history within football.
Images portraying the French forward as a dictator circulated during his time at Paris Saint-Germain, reflecting perceptions among some supporters that he wielded extraordinary influence within the club. The memes continued after his departure for Madrid in 2024.
In an interview with France Football in September, Mbappé acknowledged that some versions of the memes could be harmless humour but criticised comparisons with historical figures responsible for suffering and mass deaths.
What happens next for Kylian Mbappé?
Mbappé now faces the challenge of rebuilding trust with Chinese fans and navigating the commercial consequences of the controversy.His apology may help ease the backlash, but the termination of three sponsorship agreements represents an immediate financial and reputational setback.
The broadcasting dispute could prove even more consequential if La Liga coverage remains suspended. Such a development would affect the league's access to Chinese audiences and potentially complicate its relationships with local partners.
Madrid's apology is another step towards resolving the situation, although the response from China Media Group suggests that the wider dispute cannot be considered settled.
The episode serves as a reminder that global sporting fame brings responsibilities beyond the pitch.
Mbappé remains one of football's most prominent players, but the controversy demonstrates how quickly a brief comment can overshadow achievements in the game when cultural sensitivities, sponsorships and international broadcasting interests collide.
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