# Mbappé Apologizes After Mocked as Mao Zedong

> Mbappé apologizes for mocking Mao Zedong in meme, risking sponsorships and La Liga deals.
- Title: Mbappé Apologizes After Mocked as Mao Zedong · SI | Shortify
- Summary: Mbappé apologizes for mocking Mao Zedong in meme, risking sponsorships and La Liga deals. Mbappé apologized for joking about Mao Zedong in a meme, causing…
- Keywords: kylian mbappe, mao zedong, real madrid, la ligas, chinese foreign ministry, sponsorship deals, ballon dor, mengniu, dongpeng, milkground, rednote, dior
- Source: SI — https://si.com/soccer/memes-mao-zedong-millions-explaining-kylian-mbappe-ongoing-controversy
- Published: 2026-10-27T18:30:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: kylian mbappe, mao zedong, real madrid, la ligas, chinese foreign ministry, sponsorship deals, ballon dor, mengniu, dongpeng, milkground, rednote, dior
## Mbappé’s Ballon d'Or Apology
Mbappé made public apology to Chinese people and their history after Ballon d'Or ceremony.

> My comment was ill-judged, and i now understand that it hurt many people in china and in chinese communities around the world. i apologize to everyone my words have upset. this was absolutely not my intention. i have deep respect for the chinese people and their history, and i am sincerely sorry.
## Meme Controversy Origin
Mbappé joked about being mocked as Mao Zedong on The Bridge show in April.

> The one where i laughed the hardest was when they put up a video of some guy, i think it was a chinese dictator
## Chinese Backlash
Chinese foreign ministry condemned Mbappé’s remarks as hurting chinese people’s feelings.

> Words and actions that hurt the feelings of the chinese people will naturally be met with joint opposition from all sectors of chinese society
## Sponsor Withdrawals
Mengniu and Dongpeng expressed zero tolerance for Mbappé’s remarks.

> any words or actions that offend the feelings of the chinese people
## Social Media Purges
Milkground and RedNote removed Mbappé content after relationship expired 18 months ago.

> its relationship with the record world cup scorer had expired more than 18 months ago
## Brand Switches
Dior, Hublot, and On removed Mbappé content from Weibo after Mbappé switched from Nike.

> the real madrid superstar only recently announced the surprise decision to ditch nike after a 20-year association for a lucrative new deal with on
## Financial Impact
Mbappé earns $30 million annually from sponsorships, with China as a major market for On.

> china as a major market for on
## La Liga Response
Chinese Football Association demanded Real Madrid apologize for ethical standards.

> internationally renowned athletes, in particular, should strictly adhere to ethical standards, speak rationally and cherish their public influence
## CCTV Suspension
CCTV suspended La Liga matches involving Mbappé for 2024-2026 agreement.

> the chinese state broadcaster china central television has immediately suspended broadcasts of matches involving la ligas and mbappe
## La Liga Apology
La Liga president Tebas apologized for Mbappé’s remarks affecting Chinese fans.

> we understand the harm caused by these remarks. on behalf of la ligas i extend our sincere apologies to the chinese people
## Relationship Impact
La Liga fears over 20 clubs and millions of fans affected by Mbappé’s remarks.

> we cannot allow individual actions to damage this relationship, nor can we let more than 20 clubs in our professional competitions and millions of chinese fans be adversely affected
## Key takeaway

Mbappé apologized for joking about Mao Zedong in a meme, causing Chinese sponsors to drop him and La Liga to issue a public apology.