Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe issued an apology on Tuesday after comments he made about former Chinese leader Mao Zedong led several sponsors to drop him and drew backlash from state-run Chinese television. The day after the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony, which saw Mbappe leave the London Palladium empty, began with international drama between China, Mbappe and LaLiga. It all started when Mbappe told the French to show the words “Bridge” and the meme “that makes me laugh the most, that’s the one where it’s a video about a guy, I think it’s a Chinese dictator…” The clip also shows Mbappe’s face in an image similar to Mao.
To put this in context, the most common joke, repeated in multiple memes, connects Mbappe with the word “dictator” because of his power in the game and for the way he interacts with teammates and players. During the 2026 World Cup, 2025 Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele called him “Mbappe Mobut”, referring to Mobutu, the dictator who ran the Republic of Congo for over 30 years. In September, Mbappe addressed memes in an interview with French himself, saying that when he understood the jokes, “sometimes he discovers a lack of politics and human conscience in people. It is the less funny side that we know the losses people have caused throughout history. Compared to people who kill others, or who have made millions of people miserable… I don’t think I did that in my life.”
Two Chinese clubs that have dealt with the French striker have issued statements condemning the player’s statements. Mengniu, the country’s largest dairy producer, stated that he “firmly opposes and has no reason to engage in any words or actions that hurt the feelings of the Chinese people.” Later on Tuesday, beverage giant Dongpeng then issued a statement. “Our society firmly opposes and has a zero tolerance policy towards any behavior that offends national sensibilities.” According to the state-owned Global Times newspaper, Chinese state broadcaster CCTV will not have apps related to the player, and will also stop streaming LaLiga matches.
Why is it a great place?
Mao is clearly one of the most famous figures in modern Chinese history. He founded the People’s Republic of China in 1949 and led the Communist Party until his death in 1976. Much has changed in China since his death, but the Chinese Communist Party still rules the country and sees jokes and memes about Mao as an insult to the party and the nation. Speaking to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Lin Jian said, “The matters we have noted are relevant. Words and deeds that hurt the feelings of Chinese people are naturally met by all parts of Chinese society.”
How Mbappe and LaLiga responded
The French striker stated the matter on the matter: “During a recent interview with myself, I commented on my image, but my comment was not appropriate, and now I realize that I hurt the hearts of many people in China and in the Chinese communities around the world. To all those who are upset by my words, and I never have any intention at all. I have full respect for the Chinese and their history, and I express my sincere desire.”
LaLiga also issued a statement defending the agreement that is still in place in the state of Chinese television. “LALIGA deeply regrets the offense of the recent comments of the Chinese writer Kylian Mbappé. These comments were made in a personal capacity and do not represent LALIGA. In the scope of our institutional responsibility we apologize for LALIGA and all its members. The Spanish trigger respect, coexistence and unity between people from all forms of culture. We encourage our respect for China, its institutions and all the weeks. It is also our duty to build a relationship for many years. We work with our partners and We will work with our institutional counterparts in China to address this situation. In addition, in cooperation with clubs and players, we will introduce a knowledge and communication protocol that promotes respect for different cultures, helping to prevent similar incidents in the future.”
LaLiga president Javier Tebas who recently also had many public disagreements with Real Madrid. hadwrote in 10, “they cannot allow the actions of a person to reduce this relationship or harm more than 20 clubs competing in professional federations and millions of Chinese fans. We are all taking the decision in our power and working directly with our partners and counterparts in China to resolve this situation.”