Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe has apologized after remarks apparently referring to late Chinese leader Mao Zedong as a “dictator” triggered a strong backlash in China.

The 27-year-old France captain issued a statement on X on Tuesday, saying he now understood that his comment had hurt people in China and Chinese communities around the world.

“During a recent interview, I reacted to an image of myself. My comment was ill-judged, and I now understand that it hurt many people in China and in Chinese communities around the world,” Mbappe said.

He added that he sincerely apologized to everyone who had been offended, stressing that hurting people was never his intention and that he had deep respect for the Chinese people and their history.

How Did the Controversy Start?

A video circulating online showed Mbappe discussing his favorite meme. He appeared to refer to a meme in which his face had been superimposed onto the image of a Chinese leader, describing the person as a “Chinese dictator.”

The clip also showed an edited image of Mao Zedong with Mbappe’s face.

However, Reuters and AFP said they were unable to independently authenticate the video.

Memes portraying Mbappe as a political or military leader have circulated online for some time, largely as jokes about his influence and profile in football.

Chinese Brands Cut Ties With Mbappe

The controversy quickly spilled into the commercial sector.

Chinese beverage company Eastroc Beverage, dairy giant Mengniu and cheese producer Milkground announced that they were ending their commercial partnerships with Mbappe. The companies said they opposed words or actions that hurt Chinese national sentiment.

Eastroc had prominently featured Mbappe in advertising campaigns in China, including promotions around the 2026 World Cup.

The companies’ decisions represented a significant commercial setback for one of football’s biggest global stars.

La Liga Broadcasts Also Affected

The fallout also extended to Spanish football broadcasts in China.

State-backed media outlet The Paper reported that Chinese state television had suspended broadcasts involving La Liga and Mbappe and removed advertisements featuring the Real Madrid forward.

However, the full extent of the reported suspension remained unclear. AFP noted that some La Liga matches were still listed on China’s online viewing schedule, despite reports of a broadcast halt.

La Liga Apologizes

La Liga also expressed regret over the controversy.

President Javier Tebas said Mbappe’s comments were made in a personal capacity and did not represent La Liga. He said the league was working directly with its partners and stakeholders in China to resolve the situation.

Tebas emphasized the importance of protecting the relationship built between La Liga and Chinese football fans over many years.

He also met with China’s ambassador to Spain to discuss the fallout and seek a way forward.

Why Did the Comment Trigger Such a Strong Reaction?

Mao Zedong remains one of the most significant and sensitive political figures in modern Chinese history. He led the Communist Party during its rise to power and headed the People's Republic of China from its founding in 1949 until his death in 1976.

Political jokes and satirical references involving Mao remain highly sensitive in China. As a result, Mbappe’s apparent reference to a meme involving Mao generated widespread criticism on Chinese social media.

China’s Foreign Ministry also commented on the controversy, saying that words and actions that hurt the feelings of the Chinese people would naturally face opposition from different sectors of Chinese society.

A Major Commercial Challenge for Mbappe

Mbappe is one of the most marketable footballers in the world and has built commercial partnerships with major international brands. The loss of several Chinese sponsors therefore adds a significant business dimension to the controversy.

His public apology appears aimed at calming the situation. The key question now is whether Mbappe can rebuild his commercial relationships and image in the Chinese market following the backlash.