Soccer Star Kylian Mbappé Seeks to Ease China Backlash
Sandego.net – Soccer star Kylian Mbappé seeks to calm anger in China after an ill-judged remark during a French podcast was understood as a reference to Mao Zedong. The Real Madrid forward and France captain apologized after a clip from the interview spread online.
Mbappé was responding to a meme showing his face on another person’s body when he said it resembled “some guy — I think he’s a Chinese dictator.” The interview was later removed, but the comment prompted a rapid backlash among Chinese fans, companies and broadcasters.
Mao, the founding leader of modern China, led the country from 1949 until his death in 1976. Satire or public mockery involving him remains particularly sensitive in China, helping explain why the reaction extended far beyond social media.
“During a recent interview, I reacted to an image of myself,” Mbappé said. “My comment was ill-judged, and I now understand that it hurt many people in China and in Chinese communities around the world.”
“I apologise to everyone my words have upset. This was absolutely not my intention.”
Sponsors Respond to Mbappé’s Comment
Several Chinese companies said they would immediately end cooperation with Mbappé. Dairy brands Mengniu and Shanghai Milkground Food Tech, along with Eastroc Beverage, moved to distance themselves from the player.
The companies said they would not tolerate comments or behavior that offended Chinese people. The episode highlights the commercial pressure faced by global athletes whose endorsements depend on relationships with brands in China.
Mbappé also works with international companies including On Holding, Accor and Lego. On signed him in September following his long association with Nike and said it respected China deeply while welcoming his apology.
Accor did not immediately respond. Lego said it could not comment on the issue, though its Mbappé-themed building set remained available on its Chinese website on Tuesday.
“Mbappé’s team knew, or should have known, what the true cost of Chinese brand endorsements was all about,” said Terrence Burns, chief executive of the T. Burns Sports Group.
LaLiga and Broadcasters Feel the Impact
Soccer star Kylian Mbappé seeks to resolve a controversy that has also affected LaLiga. League president Javier Tebas said he met China’s ambassador to Spain to discuss the situation and work toward a solution.
“Our commitment is to keep working together so that an individual episode does not harm the important advances achieved nor affect the millions of Chinese fans who follow our competitions,” Tebas said.
Tebas added that China remained a strategic partner for LaLiga. He had previously expressed regret over the remarks and said the league was working with Chinese partners and contacts to protect a relationship built over many years.
China’s state television stopped airing matches and events involving LaLiga and Mbappé, while advertisements featuring the player were removed. Real Madrid declined to comment.
Online Anger Continues in China
The issue remained prominent on Weibo, where four Mbappé-related subjects were among the platform’s 10 most searched topics by 0700 GMT. Some users said the apology did not go far enough and called for him to be blacklisted or have a smaller commercial presence in China.
“Not accepted. Not forgiven!!”
Chinese state media also focused on the business consequences. China Daily said the remark had angered fans and endangered valuable commercial relationships, while the Global Times said public figures seeking to benefit from the Chinese market must show respect.
FAQ: What Happened With Mbappé in China?
Why did Kylian Mbappé apologize? Mbappé apologized after a podcast remark about an image was interpreted as referring to Mao Zedong and caused offense in China and among Chinese communities worldwide.
Which companies ended their cooperation with Mbappé? Mengniu, Shanghai Milkground Food Tech and Eastroc Beverage said they would end cooperation with the footballer immediately.
How did the controversy affect LaLiga? State television in China stopped airing LaLiga and Mbappé-related matches and events, while LaLiga officials sought to limit wider damage to the league’s relationship with Chinese fans and partners.
