Kylian Mbappé Issues Apology After Mao Zedong Remark Triggers Chinese Brand Boycotts
Soccer star Kylian Mbappé apologizes for calling Mao Zedong a dictator after losing major Chinese brand deals and facing backlash from state media.
POLICY WIRE — Beijing, China — International soccer sensation Kylian Mbappé has issued a formal apology following a firestorm of criticism in China. The controversy erupted after the Real Madrid forward appeared to label Mao Zedong, the founding leader of the People’s Republic of China, as a dictator during a recent media appearance.
The fallout was immediate, resulting in the termination of endorsement contracts with at least three major Chinese corporations. Beverage manufacturer Dongpeng, dairy giant Mengniu, and cheese producer Milkground all confirmed they were severing ties with the athlete, citing a commitment to protecting national sentiment.
In a statement released Tuesday, Mbappé expressed regret for his remarks, acknowledging that his words were ill-judged and caused offense to many within China and the global Chinese community. He emphasized that he holds deep respect for Chinese history and that his comments were not intended to be hurtful.
The backlash extended beyond the corporate sector, with the China Football Association lodging a formal protest with Real Madrid. Additionally, China Media Group has suspended broadcasts of La Liga matches and removed promotional content featuring the player, while social media platform RedNote restricted his account from gaining new followers.
The incident originated from a clip circulating on X, where Mbappé discussed a meme depicting his face on the body of Mao Zedong. While the star attempted to clarify his position, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun noted that actions perceived as insulting to the Chinese people would face unified opposition from society.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
