Kylian Mbappé apologises to Chinese nationals after Mao Zedong Meme controversy

French football superstar Kylian Mbappé has issued a public apology to the Chinese people following widespread backlash over comments he made about an internet meme depicting him as former Chinese leader Mao Zedong.

In a statement dated October 27, 2026, and released through his company, Interconnected Ventures, the Real Madrid forward acknowledged that his remarks during a recent interview were ill-judged and had hurt many people in China and Chinese communities worldwide.

“I apologise 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,” Mbappé stated.

The controversy arose after an interview on the French online talk show The Bridge, during which the 27-year-old footballer discussed his favourite internet meme featuring himself. He reportedly referred to an image with his face superimposed on Mao Zedong as depicting a Chinese dictator.

The comments triggered significant criticism on Chinese social media, where jokes about Mao remain a sensitive subject.

The backlash has also affected Mbappé’s commercial relationships. Chinese beverage company Dongpeng, dairy giant Mengniu and cheesemaker Milkground announced that they were ending their partnerships with the French international, citing opposition to conduct that hurts Chinese national sentiments.

Reports have also indicated broader repercussions for the footballer’s visibility in China, including the removal of promotional materials and moves to suspend broadcasts of some matches featuring him.

Mbappé’s apology comes as the controversy threatens his commercial standing in a major international market. His statement emphasises that he did not intend to offend the Chinese people and expresses regret for the impact of his words.