Kylian Mbappé faces backlash in China over controversial comments about Mao Zedong

Real Madrid and France forward Kylian Mbappé has sparked significant controversy in China following the release of an interview clip from the French program "The Bridge," circulated on October 27, 2026. In the video, Mbappé laughs at a meme featuring his face superimposed on an image of what he refers to as a "Chinese dictator," widely identified as the founding father of the People's Republic of China, Mao Zedong. He mentions using the image frequently with friends, leading to immediate public outcry across Chinese social media platforms.

In response to the perceived insult to national sentiments, three major Chinese corporations—beverage producer Dongpeng, dairy giant Mengniu, and cheese maker Milkground—officially terminated their partnerships with the athlete, citing a "zero-tolerance" policy for such remarks. While some sources note that digital verification services have not confirmed the authenticity of the edited video, the backlash has prompted diplomatic concerns and significant financial repercussions for the footballer.

Following the widespread negative reaction, Mbappé issued a formal public apology on social media on October 27, 2026. He clarified that his comments were misguided and unintended, expressing deep respect for the Chinese people and their history. As of now, the original video has been removed from the program's YouTube channel, and the affected companies have moved to distance themselves from the player.