Kylian Mbappe apologises after ‘dictator’ comment angers Chinese fans

What the report says

Kylian Mbappe has apologized after a comment in a circulated video angered Chinese fans and led to the loss of at least two sponsorship deals in China, Al Jazeera reported on 27 October 2026. The Real Madrid forward said his remark was “ill-judged” and that he understood it had hurt people in China and in Chinese communities abroad. He said he was reacting to an image of himself during the interview and insisted he had no intention of causing offence.

According to the report, the controversy began after a clip from an April interview was widely shared on social media. In the video, Mbappe appeared to joke about a meme that altered his face onto that of “some guy” he described as a Chinese dictator. The article says the reference was widely understood to allude to Mao Zedong, whose image and legacy remain highly sensitive in China.

The backlash quickly spread beyond social media. Dongpeng, a Chinese drinks company, said it ended its contract with Mbappe immediately, and Mengniu, another major Chinese brand, also cut ties with him. La Liga and Real Madrid issued apologies, with the league saying the comments were made in a personal capacity and did not represent it.

Al Jazeera said the incident matters because it highlights the risks for global athletes whose commercial reach depends on Chinese audiences. The report also noted that Chinese state media and authorities condemned the remarks, while some broadcasters in China reportedly stopped showing Mbappe-related content.