Mbappe Apology Follows China Sponsorship Cuts

Kylian Mbappe issued a formal apology on Tuesday after a resurfaced video sparked a backlash in China that has already severed major commercial ties and disrupted television broadcasts. The 27-year-old Real Madrid forward called his remark ill-judged, acknowledging that the comment hurt many people in China and Chinese communities worldwide.

The controversy ignited when a video shared on Monday showed the France captain discussing internet memes. In the clip, which was reportedly filmed in April, Mbappe described a meme placing his face on a Chinese dictator as the funniest he had seen. Although he did not name Mao Zedong, the reference touched on a sensitive historical figure who ruled from 1949 until 1976. The original source, the French podcast The Bridge, has since removed the clip.

Chinese state media reacted by describing the incident as inappropriate remarks concerning China. The Global Times noted that many Chinese would rather not repeat the specific words and stated that one does not get to profit from China while disrespecting it. Social media platforms quickly moved to limit his presence, with Xiaohongshu freezing his account and Weibo barring new followers from joining his page.

The financial impact was immediate. Dongpeng, a Chinese drinks company, announced on Tuesday that it was ending its contract with immediate effect, citing a zero-tolerance policy toward behavior that offends national sentiments. Dairy producer Mengniu also cut ties. Retailers in Beijing removed Real Madrid jerseys bearing Mbappe's name from shelves, and brands including Dior and Hublot removed his content from Chinese platforms.

Broadcasting rights also came under pressure. According to The Paper, China's state television halted all broadcasts of La Liga matches and events involving Mbappe. Advertisements featuring him were pulled from air. Sports sponsorship expert Terrence Burns noted that Mbappe's team should have understood the high stakes of Chinese brand endorsements, comparing the situation to the 2019 NBA suspension.

La Liga president Javier Tebas met with China's ambassador to Spain to discuss the fallout, calling China a strategic partner. Tebas is considering a trip to China to mitigate financial losses for Spanish football. Real Madrid joined the effort to contain the damage, releasing a statement on Wednesday expressing deep respect for China, its history, and its citizens.

Guo Jiakun, the foreign ministry spokesman, confirmed on Wednesday that China takes the apology seriously. The incident has forced a rare alignment between La Liga and Real Madrid, who typically navigate a strained relationship amid a power struggle in Spanish football.