Kylian Mbappé Apologizes After Mao Zedong Remark Backlash
French soccer star Kylian Mbappé has issued an apology after his comments about Mao Zedong sparked a significant backlash and the loss of multiple brand deals in China.
Quick facts
- Kylian Mbappé issued a public apology on Tuesday, October 27, 2026.
- At least three Chinese companies—Dongpeng, Mengniu, and Milkground—terminated agreements with the player.
- The controversy stemmed from comments made by Mbappé on the French talk show The Bridge.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the ongoing sensitivity surrounding political discourse in China for international celebrities and corporations. The rapid termination of contracts by multiple major brands illustrates the high stakes for global figures when navigating Chinese public sentiment. The situation remains fluid as the player attempts to mitigate the damage to his reputation in the region.
French soccer star Kylian Mbappé has issued a formal apology following a significant backlash in China over comments he made regarding Mao Zedong. As of October 27, 2026, the incident has resulted in the termination of several commercial partnerships between the Real Madrid forward and Chinese brands.
Why it is trending now
The controversy began after Mbappé appeared on the French talk show The Bridge. During the program, he discussed a meme that featured his face superimposed on an image of Mao Zedong, the founding leader of Communist China. Mbappé reportedly referred to the figure as a "Chinese dictator" while laughing, a comment that triggered widespread criticism across Chinese social media platforms.
Key facts
- Kylian Mbappé stated his comments were "ill-judged" and that he understands they caused hurt to many people in China and Chinese communities globally, according to BBC reporting.
- Three major Chinese companies—beverage maker Dongpeng, dairy giant Mengniu, and cheese maker Milkground—confirmed they were ending their agreements with the player, as reported by Sportsnet.
- The companies stated they oppose "any words and actions that hurt national sentiment," according to Sportsnet.
- Spain's La Liga issued a statement saying it "deeply regrets the offence" caused by the comments, as noted by the BBC.
Why this is trending in Canada
The story is trending in Canada as part of a wider global interest in the professional conduct of high-profile international athletes. The source notes do not specify a unique Canadian connection to the incident.
Background and context
Mao Zedong remains a highly sensitive figure in China, where he is officially revered by the Communist Party despite his historical record. This incident follows a pattern where international brands and figures have faced consequences in China for comments deemed offensive to the country's political leadership or national sentiment. Similar tensions occurred in 2019 when the NBA faced a broadcast ban in China following a tweet by a team executive regarding Hong Kong.
What happens next
Mbappé has expressed his regret and stated he has "deep respect for the Chinese people and their history." It remains to be seen whether further commercial entities will take action or if the backlash will impact his future professional engagements in the region. As of now, no further statements from the player or his representatives have been confirmed.
Frequently asked questions
What did Kylian Mbappé say?
Mbappé referred to Mao Zedong as a "Chinese dictator" during an appearance on the French talk show The Bridge. He later apologized, describing the remark as ill-judged.
Why did Chinese brands cut ties with him?
Companies including Dongpeng, Mengniu, and Milkground terminated their agreements because they stated they oppose any words or actions that hurt national sentiment in China.
Has Kylian Mbappé apologized?
Yes, Mbappé issued a statement on Tuesday apologizing to everyone his words had upset, noting that he had no intention to cause offense.
Is the situation still developing?
Yes, as of October 27, 2026, the situation is ongoing. While the player has apologized, the full impact on his brand partnerships and international standing remains to be seen.
Why is Mao Zedong a sensitive topic?
Mao Zedong is the founding leader of Communist China and is officially revered by the Communist Party, making any negative references to him a highly sensitive political issue.
In this story
Sources
Trend snapshot
- Topic
- Sports
- Trending in
- Canada
- Search interest
- 1000+ recent searches
- Status
- Verified: 3 independent outlets
- Last updated
- Oct 27, 2026 at 9:30 PM
Peak: 4K+ searches, 4 hours ago. Strongest in: Ghana (2K+), United Kingdom (1K+), Canada (1K+).
Last checked Oct 27, 2026 at 9:30 PM. Trends move fast, so details may change. How we work · How we verify
Comments