Kylian Mbappé Apologises After Chinese Brands End Partnerships Over Mao Zedong Comments

Kylian Mbappé, the Real Madrid forward and France captain, has apologised after a video clip led to Chinese companies cutting ties with him. The clip, from a French television programme, showed the striker discussing a meme that superimposed his face on an image of Mao Zedong, and he appeared to describe Mao as a “Chinese dictator.” The remarks drew strong criticism in China, where Mao remains a figure with a complex legacy.

Mbappé said on 27 October 2026 that his comment was “ill-judged” and that he understood it hurt many people in China and among Chinese communities abroad. He apologised in Chinese, French and English, saying he has deep respect for the Chinese people and their history and is sincerely sorry.

Brands That Ended Partnerships with Kylian Mbappé

Several Chinese companies announced they were ending their work with the striker. Dairy group Mengniu said it was terminating all cooperation with Mbappé with immediate effect, and it expressed regret for the offence caused to Chinese fans. Dongpeng Beverage also ended its partnership, and the hashtag announcing its decision became one of the top trending topics on Weibo.

Milkground was also reported to have ended its deal, and social media platform RedNote said its content partnership with Mbappé had already finished at the end of 2024. Reports differ on the exact number of companies involved, with some outlets describing two major brands and others naming three or more.

Wider Impact in China

The backlash went beyond sponsors. Reports say the state broadcaster CCTV suspended coverage of La Liga and Mbappé-related content, and pulled advertisements featuring him. CCTV has also said his apology would be judged against his future actions.

Several international brands, including Dior, Rimowa, Nike, Hublot and On, reportedly removed promotional content featuring Mbappé from their Chinese social media accounts. Some of these brands did not announce a formal termination, so their position is less clear than that of the companies that did.

Official Responses

LaLiga president Javier Tebas said the league “deeply regrets” the comments and that they caused offence in China. LaLiga also issued a statement distancing itself from the remarks about the meme.

China’s foreign ministry said that such words and deeds “will naturally be met with opposition.”

Some voices outside China also commented. A US congressional committee focused on China argued that Mao was a dictator who caused great harm to the Chinese people, and it criticised companies for apologising to continue doing business in China. The comments reflect how the episode has drawn views from several sides.

Mao’s Complex Legacy

Mao led China for more than a quarter of a century until his death in 1976. The Chinese Communist Party acknowledges the serious mistakes of his era, but it maintains that his achievements outweigh them. Views of Mao vary widely, both within China and abroad, which helps explain why a passing remark attracted such a strong reaction.

The Commercial Stakes

For a player with a large following in China, the loss of sponsors and the disruption of broadcasts carry real financial and reputational consequences. Mbappé has built significant commercial partnerships across markets, and the episode shows how quickly that business can be affected by remarks on social media and in the press.

For Real Madrid, the episode shows how a player’s public comments can reach beyond football and affect the wider club and its partners.

What Happens Next

It remains unclear whether the brands that have ended their deals will return, or whether CCTV will resume coverage of La Liga and Mbappé-related material. Mbappé’s future behaviour, and how Chinese authorities and sponsors respond to his apology, will shape the next stage of the matter.

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