Mbappé Apologizes to China After Mao Meme Remark Costs Him Three Sponsorships and La Liga Broadcasts

Kylian Mbappé apologized on Tuesday to people in China and Chinese communities around the world after a remark about an internet meme cost him at least three sponsorship deals in China and led state broadcaster CCTV to suspend La Liga broadcasts involving him.

In a statement issued in French, Chinese and English through his company, Interconnected Ventures, Mbappé said: “During a recent interview, I reacted to an image of myself. My comment was ill-judged, and I now understand that it hurt many people in China and in Chinese communities around the world. I apologize to everyone my words have upset. That was absolutely not my intention. I have deep respect for the Chinese people and their history, and I am sincerely sorry.”

The remark came from an appearance on the French online talk show The Bridge, recorded earlier this year. Asked which meme of himself made him laugh the most, Mbappé said it was one that put his face on what he called a “Chinese dictator.” The edited clip then cut to images of Mao Zedong, the founder of the People’s Republic of China, who led the country from 1949 until his death in 1976.

The clip resurfaced on Monday, October 26, the day of the Ballon d’Or ceremony in London, where the award went to Harry Kane. Reaction on Chinese social media followed, and the fallout reached sponsors within hours.

Sponsors cut ties, broadcaster pulls matches

Beverage maker Dongpeng said it would end its work with Mbappé, and dairy companies Mengniu and Milkground also cut ties, according to USA Today. Dongpeng’s sports drink brand Bushuila had used Mbappé’s face and voice since April 2026, Le Monde reported. Trade publications put his contracts with the brands at about 50 million yuan, or about 6.7 million euros.

CCTV confirmed to Chinese media that it had stopped broadcasting La Liga matches involving Mbappé and had removed advertisements featuring him, USA Today reported. Le Monde, citing the digital paper The Paper, reported that CCTV had suspended all La Liga broadcasts involving the player.

China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said at a news conference on Tuesday: “Any words or actions that hurt the feelings of the Chinese people naturally meet with a common rejection from all of Chinese society.”

La Liga apologizes and promises action

La Liga said it deeply regretted the offense caused among Chinese fans. President Javier Tebas said: “I want to personally apologize to the Chinese fans for the offense caused. I have deep respect for China, its institutions, and its people, and I value the trust they have placed in our football for so many years.” He said the league would work with clubs and players to strengthen understanding and respect for different cultures and would put concrete measures in place to help keep it from happening again.

China is a large market for Real Madrid. According to Nielsen Sports data cited by the club, Real Madrid had about 97 million fans in China, making the country its leading overseas market, ahead of the United States. The episode recalled a 2019 case in which CCTV suspended NBA game broadcasts for 18 months after the Houston Rockets’ general manager posted a tweet supporting pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong, a suspension the NBA’s commissioner said cost the league $400 million in revenue.

Reporting based on coverage by Le Monde and USA Today.