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Kylian Mbappe apologises following backlash over Mao Zedong meme comments

French football star Kylian Mbappe issued an apology after calling a meme depicting former Chinese leader Mao Zedong a Chinese dictator.

FTMQ News, written by our newsroom2 November 2026 at 09:500 views

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Picture: Euronews

French football star Kylian Mbappe has apologised after remarks about a meme depicting former Chinese leader Mao Zedong sparked a severe backlash in China. Euronews reported that Mbappe made the apology following public criticism and official responses over the incident. [1]

During an appearance on a French talk show, Mbappe was asked about his favourite meme of himself. Euronews reported that Mbappe described the meme as a video of a guy whom he thought was a Chinese dictator. Euronews and FTMQ News both previously reported that the altered image depicted former Chinese leader Mao Zedong. [1][4]

At least three Chinese companies have ended their brand deals with the football star as a result of the controversy, according to Euronews. FTMQ News reported earlier that Chinese internet users had called for an official apology after several sponsors began dropping him. [1][4]

The situation has drawn an official response from China's Foreign Ministry, according to Euronews. Additionally, Yahoo Sports reported that LaLiga broadcasts have been taken off Chinese state television since the controversy began. [1][2]

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In short

Kylian Mbappe apologised after referring to a meme depicting Mao Zedong as a Chinese dictator.
At least three Chinese companies ended brand deals with Kylian Mbappe over the remarks.
China's Foreign Ministry responded to the growing controversy.
LaLiga broadcasts were removed from Chinese state television following the incident.

Sources

Every paragraph above points to the numbered items it rests on. Read the originals here.

[1]Mbappé’s ‘Chinese dictator’ comment: How do Chinese people react?Euronews, 1h ago (the report this story comes from)
[2]📺 LaLiga off Chinese state TV since the Mbappé ‘meme’Yahoo Sports, 1d ago

Background

[3]China–United States relations on Wikipedia
[4]Chinese brands cut ties with Kylian Mbappé over Mao joke FTMQ News, 6d ago

Our newsroom writes these reports with the help of software, from the 4 sources listed and nothing else, and checks them against those sources. Facts can still be wrong or move on; the originals are the record. Spotted a mistake? Write to daniel@monsterkong.com.

Earlier reports of ours on the same people and subjects.

Chinese brands cut ties with Kylian Mbappé over Mao jokeTop Stories, 6d ago
Real Madrid issue apology to China following Kylian Mbappe controversyTop Stories, 4d ago
Kylian Mbappe scores as Real Madrid win amid Chinese television blackoutTop Stories, 4h ago
Martha Stewart apologises after outrage over homeless Halloween costumeTop Stories, 35m ago
Sanrio terminates Hello Kitty merchandise line with Japanese spy dramaTop Stories, 4d ago

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