Mbappe apologises after Mao comment sparks backlash in China

France captain Kylian Mbappe apologized on Tuesday for a remark that described the late Chinese leader Mao Zedong as a dictator, a comment that triggered a strong reaction in China. The comment was made in a now-removed video from a French podcast where Mbappe discussed a meme that had placed his face on an image of a Chinese leader.

"My comment was ill-judged, and I now understand that it hurt many people in China and in Chinese communities around the world," Mbappe said in a statement.

Chinese state television suspended broadcasts of LaLiga matches and any content featuring Mbappe, and advertisements with the player were taken down, according to the state-backed newspaper the Paper. LaLiga president Javier Tebas said he met with the Chinese ambassador in Spain to seek a solution and emphasized that the league views China as a strategic partner.

"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 wrote on social media.

Sponsorship groups, including Swiss-based On Holding, which signed Mbappe earlier this year, expressed respect for China and welcomed the apology. Other brands that have faced similar backlash in the past include Dolce & Gabbana, Swatch and the NBA.

Chinese state media described the incident as a reminder of the limits of celebrity influence, while a user on Weibo wrote, "Not accepted. Not forgiven!!" CCTV said it would listen to Mbappe’s apology and monitor his future actions.

The episode highlights the sensitivity of political references in the Chinese market and the potential impact on athletes’ commercial relationships.