BEIJING — Kylian Mbappé apologizes following controversy over comments widely interpreted as calling Mao Zedong a dictator, after facing sharp backlash in China and the loss of multiple brand partnerships.
“My comment was ill-judged, and I now understand that it hurt many people in China and in Chinese communities around the world,” Mbappé said Tuesday. He added that he did not intend to upset anyone, saying he has deep respect for the Chinese people and their history.
The fallout underscores how China uses its market power to pressure foreign figures and companies to align with its political sensitivities. In 2019, Chinese state television halted NBA broadcasts after then-Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey expressed support for Hong Kong protesters.
Mbappé has been a high-profile face in China, appearing in ads from subway platforms to elevators.
Kylian Mbappé apologizes as brands cut ties
Chinese beverage maker Dongpeng, dairy giant Mengniu and cheese producer Milkground each announced Tuesday they were ending agreements with the French star, saying they oppose any words or actions that hurt national sentiment. The companies did not specify the trigger. Their statements followed circulation on X of a clip appearing to show Mbappé, ahead of a French online talk show, referencing a meme and saying he thought it showed “a Chinese dictator,” before an altered image flashed of his face on Mao’s body.
The China Football Association said it lodged a stern protest with Real Madrid and called for a public and formal apology from both the player and the club, stressing opposition to remarks that hurt the feelings of the Chinese people.
China Media Group said it suspended broadcasts of La Liga matches and other games featuring Mbappé and removed his advertisements. The broadcaster also demanded apologies from the player and Real Madrid.
La Liga moved quickly to protect its business in China, stating it deeply regrets the offense caused to Chinese fans by Mbappé’s personal remarks, which it said do not represent the league. It added that it will create a communication protocol for players and clubs and work with stakeholders in China to prevent similar incidents.
Online, fans have long joked that Mbappé dominates teammates and even teams, spawning memes that depict him as a dictator and sometimes as Mao or other autocratic leaders.
Mao Zedong led the Communist Party to victory in China’s civil war and founded the People’s Republic in 1949. He remains revered by many, though his rule is associated with authoritarian campaigns such as the Great Leap Forward, which led to famine and tens of millions of deaths.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said that words and actions that hurt the feelings of the Chinese people will be met with joint opposition across Chinese society.
Social platform RedNote said its content partnership with Mbappé ended Dec. 31, 2024, and that it would remove related promotional materials, adding it opposes any conduct that hurts national sentiment. Mbappé’s account on the platform was blocked from accepting new followers Tuesday.
The player’s commercial footprint in China has included electrolyte drinks, milk and cheese. In one Dongpeng ad he delivers a slogan in Chinese, and in a Mengniu spot he appears with Lionel Messi.
Reaction on Chinese social media was swift. The hashtags “Dongpeng ends partnership with Mbappé” and “Several brands end partnerships with Mbappé” topped Weibo’s trending list, while “Football fans boycott Mbappé” also trended, with some users expressing anger and telling him not to visit China.
Associated Press video producer Olivia Zhang in Beijing, writer Joseph Wilson in Barcelona, and writer Didi Tang in Washington contributed to this report.
