Nov 1, 2026
Africa Front
Africanews

Mbappe apologises for Mao Zedong comment after Chinese sponsors drop him

Share Report:
Mbappe apologises for Mao Zedong comment after Chinese sponsors drop him

    • Football superstar Kylian Mbappé has apologised after a video appearing to show him joking about Chinese leader Mao Zedong sparked outrage in China.

    The Real Madrid forward said his comment was “ill-judged” and apologised to Chinese fans, acknowledging that his words had caused offence.

    But the backlash is already having major consequences.

    Three Chinese brands, including beverage giant Dongpeng and dairy producer Mengniu, have reportedly cut ties with the French captain.

    China’s state broadcaster has also suspended broadcasts of Spanish La Liga matches, demanding an apology from Real Madrid.

    The video shows Mbappé referring to a meme featuring his face superimposed on Mao, describing him as “some guy” who was a Chinese dictator. AFP Fact Check could not immediately verify the video’s authenticity.

    The controversy has also exploded online, with a related hashtag reportedly attracting 430 million views on Chinese social media platform Weibo.

    The incident highlights the risks global sports stars face in China, where comments involving the country’s political history can trigger fierce public backlash and costly commercial consequences.

    Related articles

    Kylian Mbappé faces China backlash as major brands cut ties over Mao meme controversy

    02:11 Kylian Mbappé faces China backlash as major brands cut ties over Mao meme controversy

    02:11 Kylian Mbappé faces China backlash as major brands cut ties over Mao meme controversy

    SPORT 01:02 Harry Kane become first English footballer to win Ballon d'Or in 25 years

    NO COMMENT

    01:00

    China: Panic as 7.0-magnitude earthquake rocks Tibet

    NO COMMENT 00:35 China and North Korea open New Yalu River Bridge after 12-year delay

    NEWS

    00:58

    Eight countries including China join military exercises in Russia

    PICS OF THE DAY

    01:00

    Pix of the Day, 30 September, 2026 - Across the world

    NEWS

    01:36

    Trump-Xi summit: Pomp and pageantry, but few concrete breakthroughs

    Ethiopia: At least 60 Christians killed in attacks in Oromia region

    Ethiopia

      Ethiopia: At least 60 Christians killed in attacks in Oromia region

      00:53 Tanzania Tanzania's jailed opposition leader Tundu Lissu begins hunger strike

      01:13 Israel Israelis vote in pivotal election as Netanyahu faces challenge from Eisenkot

      Related Topics

      Keywords

      Mbappe apologises for Mao Zedong comment after Chinese sponsors drop him · Africa news · Africa headlines · Africanews news · Africanews · Africa Front · breaking news · latest news · Mbappe · Apologises · Mao · Zedong · Comment · Chinese · Sponsors · Drop · Him · Football · Superstar · Kylian · Mbapp · Apologised · Video · Appearing

      Related Stories

      Premium Times Nigeria

      Ebola: Saudi Arabia suspends travel to Kenya, halts visa issuance

      The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) announced the measures in a statement published on its official X account on Friday, 30 October, saying they followed epidemiological assessments by the country’s health authorities The post Ebola: Saudi Arabia suspends travel to Kenya, halts visa…

      October 31, 2026

      AfricaPremium Times NigeriaOctober 2026

      Ebola: Saudi Arabia suspends travel to Kenya, halts visa issuance
      Premium Times Nigeria

      Group seeks end to health workers’ absenteeism in PHCs

      “Our expectation is that the government and other policymakers will take renewed action to ensure that these interventions are implemented across the state,” the group's coordinator said. The post Group seeks end to health workers’ absenteeism in PHCs appeared first on Premium…

      October 31, 2026

      AfricaPremium Times NigeriaOctober 2026

      Group seeks end to health workers’ absenteeism in PHCs

      Top Stories

      Latest