Mbappe Controversy in China

What happened

The outlets' own sentences, most widely reported first. Hover or tap one to see who reported it.

Analysis

How it changed

1. 27 Oct

   Mbappé himself then apologized “to everyone my words have upset,” saying that his “comment was ill-judged.”

   4 outlets · NBC News
2. 28 Oct

   "Real Madrid CF wishes to express its apologies to the Chinese people for any discomfort caused by the recent words of our player Kylian Mbappe," Real said in a statement.

   4 outlets · The Hindu

Coverage 12 articles

• 29 Oct Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid and La Liga face long redemption road in ChinaKylian Mbappe has apologized for comments that appeared to mock former Chinese leader Mao Zedong, causing a stir in China where discussing such topics is taboo. The controversy led several major Chinese brands to sever ties with Mbappe and prompted La Liga to issue an apology as well. Despite the apologies, experts warn that repairing the damage to the image of La Liga and Real Madrid in China will be difficult…Al Jazeera
• 28 Oct Kylian Mbappe shouldn’t apologize for calling Mao a dictatorKylian Mbape faced backlash in China after being associated with a meme depicting him as Mao Zedong, whom he referred to as "a Chinese dictator." When questioned about his favorite meme featuring himself, Mbappe pointed to the one of him as Mao and made that statement. Despite the controversy, an opinion piece argues that Mbappe should not apologize for his comments.Washington Examiner
• 28 Oct Real Madrid issues apology to China over Mbappe’s Mao remarksReal Madrid has apologized to China for remarks made by their star player Kylian Mbappe about Mao Zedong, following a rebuke from Chinese state broadcaster CCTV Sports. The club issued its apology on Wednesday after initially responding to the controversy with what was deemed an insufficient statement by Chinese authorities, who then suspended broadcasts of La Liga matches and removed programs featuring Mbappe.South China Morning Post
• 28 Oct What is the controversy between Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe and China?Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid faces backlash in China over a video where he appears to mock an image of Chinese leader Mao Zedong. This has led to the cancellation of La Liga broadcasts on state television and the loss of several commercial deals for Mbappe. The incident highlights the sensitivity surrounding discussions about Mao, who ruled from 1949 until his death in 1976, as it remains a social taboo in China.Al Jazeera
• 28 Oct Real Madrid issues apology to China over Mbappe controversy after state-run TV demands itReal Madrid issued a formal apology to China after facing pressure from state-run media over comments made by star player Kylian Mbappe during a recent interview. Initially, Real Madrid defended Mbappe's joking remarks about a meme featuring Chinese dictator Mao Zedong but later apologized following severe backlash in China, including the termination of broadcasting La Liga matches and sponsorships. The club’s…Fox News
• 28 Oct Real Madrid apologise to Chinese people over Mbappe's Mao 'dictator' commentReal Madrid issued an apology on October 28, 2026, for comments made by their player Kylian Mbappe the previous day, which referred to Mao Zedong as a dictator. Chinese brands such as Mengniu and Shanghai Milkground Food Tech halted cooperation with Mbappe following his initial remarks. The club’s statement expressed regret for any discomfort caused and emphasized its respect for China's history, culture, and…The Hindu
• 28 Oct Mbappé Apologizes After ‘Dictator’ Mao Comment: What to Know About the Chinese BacklashKylian Mbappé, French soccer captain and Real Madrid forward, apologized to China after calling Mao Zedong a “dictator” on a French talk show in March. The comment sparked backlash in China, with several broadcasters suspending coverage related to Mbappé and brands pulling ads featuring him. Chinese officials noted that words or actions hurting the feelings of the Chinese people would face opposition from various…Time
• 28 Oct ‘Not accepted. Not forgiven!!’ : French superstar’s ‘dictator Mao’ meme ignites fury in ChinaFrench soccer star Kylian Mbappé provoked outrage in China after joking about a meme that compared him to Mao Zedong and other dictators on a French talk show. As a result, at least three Chinese companies have severed their advertising ties with him, and LaLiga is trying to mitigate the damage to its broadcast deal in China worth over $160 million annually. Mbappé later apologized for his comment, but the backlash…Sydney Morning Herald
• 28 Oct Mbappe faces backlash in China for meme fiascoKylian Mbappe faced significant backlash in China when he commented on a meme that superimposed his head onto the body of Mao Zedong. As a result, three major Chinese brands have terminated their partnerships with the French football star despite his apology. The controversy has also led to criticism from Chinese fans towards Mbappe.Al Jazeera
• 27 Oct Mbappe dropped by Chinese brands for ‘offending national sentiments’On October 27, 2026, Chinese brands Dongpeng and Mengniu terminated their sponsorships with French footballer Kylian Mbappe following a video where he appeared to make jokes about former leader Mao Zedong. Both companies cited a zero-tolerance policy for behavior that offends national sentiments, reflecting the sensitivity around discussing historical figures in China. The incident led to significant backlash on…The Hindu

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