Mbappé sorry for ‘ill-judged’ Mao remark after backlash in China

Kylian Mbappé has apologized for his "ill-judged" comments about Mao Zedong, which led to brands in China dropping him. During an interview on the French talk show The Bridge, Mbappé made a joke about a meme featuring a video of a man impersonating Mao, stating that it was the "one that makes me laugh the most." The meme was part of a running joke about Mbappé being called a "dictator" due to his influence in football.

Mbappé acknowledged that his comment was inappropriate and expressed regret for any hurt it may have caused. The joke provoked backlash in China, where Mao is revered by the Communist Party despite his controversial and violent rule that led to millions of deaths. Some Chinese netizens supported Mbappé, but the sensitive nature of the topic meant brands were quick to sever ties with the star player.

La Liga, the Spanish football league where Mbappé plays, also apologized for the offense caused by his comments. Chinese fans have been critical of Mbappé for "profiting from the Chinese market while making remarks that offend the Chinese public," with many calling for a boycott of both the player and his club, Real Madrid.