29.10.2026 17:05
Kylian Mbappe's use of the term “dictator” for Mao Zedong drew a reaction in China, and three companies ended their sponsorships. After the reactions, Mbappe issued an apology statement and said, "The comment I made had not been properly reasoned; I now understand that many people in China and in Chinese communities around the world were upset. I apologize to everyone who was upset because of my words; that was absolutely not my intention. I have deep respect for the Chinese people and their history; I am truly sorry."
French footballer Kylian Mbappe, who plays for Real Madrid, sparked a reaction in the country after using the phrase "Chinese dictator" about Mao Zedong, the founder of the People's Republic of China.
3 CHINESE COMPANIES DROP SPONSORSHIP
After comments criticizing the French footballer on Chinese social media, three Chinese companies that used Mbappe's face in their product advertisements and packaging announced that they were dropping their sponsorship.
''HE WAS A CHINESE DICTATOR''
During the filming of a television program he attended in France, when asked which of the jokes shared about him on the internet he found funny, Mbappe recalled a video in which his face had been edited with AI onto an image of Mao Zedong and said, "The video they made with that man, I think he was a Chinese dictator."
After criticism directed at the French footballer, three Chinese companies that used him in their advertisements and products—the water company Dongpeng and the dairy companies Mengniu and Milkground—announced that they were ending their sponsorships.
Meanwhile, the Shanghai-based official media outlet The Paper claimed that state broadcaster CCTV had suspended its broadcasts of Real Madrid's matches in the Spanish football league La Liga, where Mbappe wears the jersey.
At a press conference held in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun, responding to a question on the matter, said, "Any statement or action that hurts the feelings of the Chinese people will naturally be rejected by all sectors of China."
MBAPPE APOLOGIZED
After the backlash, Mbappe issued an apology, stating:
"My comment was not judged correctly. I now understand that many people in China and in Chinese communities around the world were upset. I apologize to everyone who was upset by my words; that was absolutely not my intention. I have deep respect for the Chinese people and their history, and I am truly sorry."
Because of the confidence Mbappe projects on the pitch for the teams he plays for and the dominance he establishes over both opposing players and his own teammates, posts are being made on the internet containing jokes likening the footballer to authoritarian leaders and dictators.