French soccer star Kylian Mbappé sparked a diplomatic and commercial backlash in China on October 28, 2026, after laughing at an internet meme depicting him as Mao Zedong. The controversy led to cancelled sponsorships, suspended broadcasts, and swift apologies from the player, his club Real Madrid, and Spain’s La Liga.
The controversy began when Kylian Mbappé appeared on the French online talk show The Bridge, hosted by his Real Madrid teammate Aurélien Tchouaméni. Asked about internet memes that portray him as a dictator—a joke referencing his perceived influence—the forward singled out an image that placed his face onto the body of Mao Zedong, the founding leader of the People’s Republic of China.
pic.twitter.com/MQBo9NCSy5
I think he’s a Chinese dictator
, Mbappé said during the interview segment, adding that he would use it a lot with my friends online.
While the clip was taken from an interview in April, it began circulating widely on Chinese social media platforms in late October, igniting immediate public outrage. Nationalistic users on Weibo condemned the remarks as an insult to the country’s founding father, whose image appears on Chinese banknotes. In response to the swelling anger, platforms such as Weibo and Xiaohongshu restricted Mbappé’s accounts.
When it comes to China, athletes and sports face a choice – to put their commercial agreements ahead of their views or even the rights of others, or lose them.Kylian Mbappe is just the latest.The Chinese government and many companies work in tandem to silence any discussion…
Chinese Brands and Broadcasters Sever Ties with Player
The financial fallout materialized as major Chinese brands rushed to sever ties with the French captain. Dongpeng Beverage Group terminated its partnership, and dairy producers Mengniu and Shanghai Milkground Food Tech also ceased cooperation with the player.
The commercial pressure extended directly to Real Madrid and Spain’s La Liga, which rely on the Chinese broadcast market. China Media Group, the state-owned broadcaster, suspended television coverage of La Liga matches and pulled programming featuring the French player. According to a source cited by Agence France-Presse, international broadcasting rights generated 748 million euros—equivalent to $834 million—for the 2024–25 season, with China and the United States financing the majority of that total.
🚨 𝗡𝗘𝗪: The controversy surrounding Kylian Mbappé could cost Spanish football up to €100 MILLION PER SEASON! 🇨🇳Chinese state television has SUSPENDED its broadcasts of LaLiga, while several companies have ended their sponsorship agreements with Mbappé.The financial… pic.twitter.com/TsogkGueXc
Luxury brands Dior and Hublot reportedly removed promotional content featuring the athlete from their domestic digital channels.
Real Madrid and La Liga Issue Formal Apologies
Faced with commercial pressure and suspended broadcasts, Spanish football officials moved to appease Beijing. La Liga president Javier Tebas has taken direct action to ease tensions, including holding a meeting with China’s ambassador.
Mbappé released a formal apology, acknowledging the severity of the reaction.
My comment was ill-judged, and I now understand that it hurt many people in China and in Chinese communities around the world. I apologize 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.
Kylian Mbappé, Professional Footballer
Real Madrid issued a supporting statement joining the player’s regret and reiterating respect for the Chinese people. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun addressed the developments during a regular press briefing in Beijing, noting that the government took the apologies seriously.
🚨 𝗡𝗘𝗪: LaLiga FEARS losing one of its BIGGEST international markets due to the controversy surrounding Kylian Mbappé! 🇨🇳Spanish football officials are urgently working to prevent the situation from damaging clubs financially and threatening LaLiga's growth in CHINA.LaLiga… pic.twitter.com/RpvIu6cM6K
French Football Federation President Defends the Forward
While officials in Beijing weighed the response, French Football Federation president Philippe Diallo offered public support for the national team captain, suggesting the uproar had been blown out of proportion.
I don’t think Kylian intended, in any way, to damage the image of a Chinese leader or insult or offend the Chinese people,
Diallo told the publication Ouest-France. He urged observers to accept the player’s explanation and allow him to continue his season.
Mbappe was dropped Tuesday by two major brands in China after a video circulated online in which the French football star apparently joked about former leader Mao Zedong.https://t.co/yIVHlihUEZ pic.twitter.com/A3QpN0SJbZ
The incident drew parallels to prior diplomatic friction between international sports organizations and China. In 2019, Chinese state television suspended NBA broadcasts after then-Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey tweeted support for anti-government protesters in Hong Kong, with NBA pre-season matches only returning to China last year.
Whether the rapid series of apologies and executive damage control will be sufficient to restore Mbappé’s commercial partnerships in China remains uncertain as football authorities wait for state broadcasters to lift the match suspensions.
More on Kylian Mbappé
Real Madrid issues an apology after their French forward Kylian Mbappe has sparked a fierce backlash over his comments referring to late Chinese leader Mao Zedong as a dictator.https://t.co/RNWYk521Jz