Kylian Mbappe Apologises After Chinese Brands Cut Ties Over Mao Remark
The France captain says his comment was ill-judged, but several Chinese companies and state broadcasters have already pulled back from him.
Kylian Mbappe – (Special Correspondent/Web Desk) – Kylian Mbappe has said sorry after several Chinese brands ended their deals with him. The France captain upset many people in China with a joke about the late leader Mao Zedong.
In a video, the 27-year-old talked about a meme that put his face on another man’s photo. He called the man “some guy,” and said he thought he was a Chinese dictator. Many people took this as a reference to Mao.
Mbappe then shared a statement. He said his comment was ill-judged and that it hurt many people in China and in Chinese communities around the world. He said this was not his aim and that he has deep respect for the Chinese people and their history.
In China, jokes about Mao are seen as rude and are still a social taboo. Mao led the country from 1949 until he died in 1976.
China’s Foreign Ministry said words that hurt the feelings of the Chinese people will meet strong opposition from all parts of society.
Dairy firms Mengniu and Shanghai Milkground Food Tech, along with Eastroc Beverage, said they ended all work with the Real Madrid forward at once. They said they have zero tolerance for such words or acts.
State TV has also stopped showing matches and events linked to LaLiga and Mbappe. His ads have been taken down too, according to The Paper.
LaLiga president Javier Tebas also said sorry on X. He said one episode should not damage a bond built over many years. Real Madrid chose not to comment.
Some fans on Weibo were not ready to forgive him. One user wrote, “Not accepted. Not forgiven!!” CCTV said it will listen to his words but watch his actions even more.
Mbappe also has deals with On Holding, Accor and Lego. On Holding and Accor did not reply to requests for comment. Lego said it could not comment, and its Mbappe set was still on its Chinese website on Tuesday.
Experts say the case is a warning. Sports sponsorship expert Terrence Burns said athletes are now their own media outlets, so their teams should train them that way.
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