China says it has taken Mbappé’s apology seriously after Mao comment backlash

The ministry’s statement follows the loss of three Chinese sponsorships and the removal of Real Madrid matches from state TV.

By Felo News Desk · Published Wed, 28 Oct 2026 11:34:08 GMT

China’s foreign ministry said on Wednesday it had taken French football star Kylian Mbappé’s apology seriously after his comment linking his face to Mao Zedong triggered a social‑media storm, the loss of three Chinese sponsorships and the removal of Real Madrid games from state television.

What happened

In an interview on the podcast “The Bridge”, recorded in April and shared on X on Monday, Mbappé joked that his face had been digitally placed on “some guy, think he’s a Chinese dictator”, a reference to Mao Zedong. The clip was removed after public outcry. The next day Mbappé issued a statement in French, Chinese and English apologising for the “ill‑judged” comment. Chinese beverage maker Dongpeng, dairy giant Mengniu and cheese producer Milkground announced they were ending their sponsorship agreements with the player, citing opposition to any words that hurt national sentiment.

What the reports add

Al Jazeera reported that the Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said, “We take seriously the apology the individual concerned has made.” The outlet also noted that Spanish football was removed from state TV after the incident. The Independent added that the People’s Daily, the Communist Party’s official newspaper, wrote that once a public figure crosses a “red line”, they become a brand’s negative asset and that Chinese platforms must cut off such relationships for business logic reasons. Both sources confirm that Mbappé’s games remained unavailable to Chinese viewers on Wednesday.

What was said

Guo Jiakun told a daily press briefing, “We take seriously the apology he has made.” The People’s Daily wrote, “Of course, once a public figure's speech and actions cross the limit, or step on a red line, … he becomes a brand's negative asset.” Mbappé’s own statement said, “My comment was ill‑judged and I now understand that it hurt many people in China and in Chinese communities around the world. I apologise to everyone my words have upset.”

How it came about

Mbappé’s apology follows a day after Felo News reported the termination of his Chinese sponsorships (Mbappé apologises after Chinese sponsors drop him over dictator comment) and the broader pattern of China using economic pressure on foreign figures who breach what Beijing calls “national sentiment”. The incident adds to recent examples of Chinese authorities reacting strongly to perceived disrespect of Mao, a taboo subject in the country.

Key facts

Mbappé joked about Mao Zedong in a podcast interview, prompting backlash (aljazeera.com)
He issued an apology in French, Chinese and English (aljazeera.com)
Three Chinese companies – Dongpeng, Mengniu and Milkground – ended sponsorship deals with Mbappé (independent.co.uk)
China’s foreign ministry said it took the apology seriously (aljazeera.com)
Real Madrid matches were removed from Chinese state TV (aljazeera.com)