Mbaope Mao Meme Controversy
6 outlets
Each outlet's article on this story, most articles first
6 reporters
- Lisa VisentinSydney Morning Herald
- ReutersThe Hindu
- Mark HarrisFox News
- Manasi PathakAl Jazeera
- Liu ZhenSouth China Morning Post
- Ali HolcombWashington Examiner
By day
Articles per day
Cite
Mbaope Mao Meme Controversy. (2026, October 28). The Aporia. https://the-aporia.com/event/111189
“Mbaope Mao Meme Controversy.” The Aporia, 28 Oct. 2026, https://the-aporia.com/event/111189.
“Mbaope Mao Meme Controversy.” The Aporia, October 28, 2026. https://the-aporia.com/event/111189.
Dated the day this page was built. The link always leads to this event, even after the stories are regrouped.
Mbappe has apologised but the controversy has drawn criticism from Chinese fans.
What happened
The outlets' own sentences, most widely reported first. Hover one for who reported it.
Real Madrid has issued an apology to China over Kylian Mbappe’s controversial remarks about the late Chinese leader Mao Zedong, after the Spanish football club’s initial response failed to quell anger in China.
On Tuesday (October 27, 2026), Chinese brands including dairy companies Mengniu and Shanghai Milkground Food Tech as well as Eastroc Beverage ceased all cooperation with Mbappe, who apologised for his comment.
In a video on a French podcast that has since been taken down, Mbappe is heard discussing a funny meme where his face had been photoshopped on to that of "some guy — I think he's a Chinese dictator".
Analysis
Agreed
Reported by outlets on both sides of the middle
No sentence was reported across the range.
Disputed
Picked by our model, which is sometimes wrong
No disagreement the check could confirm. That does not prove there is none.
Framing
How the first headlines put it
How it changed
- 28 Oct
Mbappe has apologised but the controversy has drawn criticism from Chinese fans.
Coverage 7 articles
28 Oct Kylian Mbappe shouldn’t apologize for calling Mao a dictator
Washington Examiner
28 Oct Real Madrid issues apology to China over Mbappe’s Mao remarks
South China Morning Post
28 Oct What is the controversy between Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe and China?
Al Jazeera
28 Oct Real Madrid issues apology to China over Mbappe controversy after state-run TV demands it
Fox News
28 Oct Real Madrid apologise to Chinese people over Mbappe's Mao 'dictator' comment
The Hindu28 Oct ‘Not accepted. Not forgiven!!’ : French superstar’s ‘dictator Mao’ meme ignites fury in China
Sydney Morning Herald
28 Oct Mbappe faces backlash in China for meme fiasco
Al Jazeera
Keep exploring
Similar coverageCeuta Solidarity Shirt Controversy
RecentCruise Ship Stranded In Cambodia
RecentJohn Healey's First Budget 2026
RecentDanny Masterson Loses Appeal
RecentTrain Crash In Spainkills At Least Ten
RecentStorms Austen And Boelo Hits UK
RecentIsraeli Election Braces For Vote
RecentMelania Trump Brokered Ceasefire In Oleshky
RecentAinsley Earhardt And Sean Hannity Marriage
Built 2026-10-28 from 7 articles. Every sentence on this page is quoted from the linked article; nothing was written by a model except the Summary and the items marked AI, which cite their sources, and the questions and labels under "Disputed". Photos are from the outlets that covered the story, never from articles our check marks sensitive.