‘Taking it seriously’ – China responds to Kylian Mbappe’s apology after Mao Zedong ‘dictator’ remark sparks backlash

China’s Foreign Ministry has said it is taking Kylian Mbappé’s apology “seriously” after the Real Madrid forward sparked controversy by referring to former Chinese leader Mao Zedong as a “dictator” in a video that has triggered commercial consequences for the France captain.

The 27-year-old’s comments have provoked widespread criticism in China, with three companies ending their sponsorship agreements with him and state broadcaster China Media Group suspending broadcasts of Spanish La Liga matches.

The controversy erupted after a clip from The Bridge, a French online show, circulated on social media around the time of Monday’s Ballon d’Or ceremony in London.

Guo Jiakun, a spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry, responded to Mbappé’s apology, saying: “We are taking his apology seriously.”

The response marks a development in the dispute after Chinese authorities initially criticised the footballer’s remarks, which were interpreted as referring to Mao, the founding leader of the People’s Republic of China.

What Mbappé said to spark the controversy

The controversy centres on a video in which Mbappé discussed internet memes featuring him. He identified one that amused him as an image involving a man he believed was a Chinese dictator.

The image showed the French forward’s face superimposed on a figure resembling Mao, prompting criticism after the clip spread online.

The remarks triggered a strong reaction in China, where Mao remains a politically sensitive historical figure. The backlash quickly extended beyond social media, threatening the forward’s commercial relationships and the visibility of La Liga in one of its major international markets.

Three Chinese companies — beverage maker Dongpeng, dairy producer Mengniu and cheese manufacturer Milkground — announced that they were ending their partnerships with Mbappé.

The decisions represented a significant commercial setback for the Real Madrid star, whose profile has made him a prominent figure in advertising campaigns across China.

La Liga broadcasts suspended as fallout widens

The repercussions have also reached Spanish football, with China Media Group announcing the suspension of La Liga broadcasts following the controversy.

The organisation, which oversees state broadcaster CCTV, also suspended advertisements featuring Mbappé, extending the consequences beyond his individual sponsorship agreements.

La Liga responded by distancing itself from the remarks and apologising for the offence caused to Chinese fans. The league stressed that the comments were made by Mbappé in a personal capacity.

The suspension presents a wider challenge for the competition, which has invested in building its presence in China and attracting supporters to Spanish football.

Real Madrid also responds

Mbappé issued a public apology through his social media platforms after the backlash intensified, while Real Madrid released its own apology on Wednesday.

The responses followed growing pressure over the remarks and their potential consequences for the player, his club and the Spanish league.

China’s Foreign Ministry has now acknowledged Mbappé’s apology, although its spokesperson’s statement does not establish whether the suspended broadcasts or terminated sponsorship agreements will be reversed.