Kylian Mbappe issues apology amid fury in China over ‘dictator’ comment
After publishing: 1 headline quietly rewritten1 change
- Le Figaro (France)seen 29 Oct, 03:05headline rewritten
Malgré ses excuses, Kylian Mbappé toujours dans la tourmente sur les réseaux sociaux chinoisLa Chine prend «au sérieux» les excuses de Kylian Mbappé après la polémique sur Mao Zedong
What it is about
Who published it, and when
+ 2 more outlets · 23 reports left out of the cascade - too little in common with the story to place
How it spread - 61 original reports
Wed, 28 October 2026
28 reports- Japan Times00:48first to report
The backlash highlighted the risks for athletes and brands in the lucrative Chinese market, where satire about Mao Zedong, modern China's founding leader.
- Bloomberg Politics03:42
The rapid backlash against French football star Kylian Mbappé over a perceived insult to Mao Zedong underscores how little room for error remains for celebrities and global brands seeking to tap China’s lucrative market.
- Al Jazeera English04:28
Three major Chinese brands have ended partnerships with French football star Kylian Mbappe
- Times of India06:48
Kylian Mbappé faced intense criticism in China after labeling Mao Zedong a dictator during a video chat. This sparked outrage, prompting sponsors like Dongpeng and Mengniu to terminate their deals with him. Chinese media called for apologies from both the player and Real Madrid, leading to a halt in La Liga broadcasts featuring Mbappé. The incident underscores the fragility of commercial relationships in China in light of public statements.
- Le Figaro (France)07:20edited after publishing
previously
Malgré ses excuses, Kylian Mbappé toujours dans la tourmente sur les réseaux sociaux chinoisLe porte-parole du ministère des Affaires étrangères chinois a salué ce mercredi le message d’apaisement du capitaine de l’équipe de France qui dans un podcast avait qualifié l’ancien dirigeant de «dictateur chinois».
- ABC (Spain)07:44
China ha rechazado este miércoles las disculpas de Kylian Mbappé, y del propio presidente de LaLiga, Javier Tebas , tras el comentario del jugador del Real Madrid por una entrevista en la que confesó que le hacía gracia el 'meme' que le comparaba con «un tipo que creo que es un dictador chino» en referencia a Mao Tse-Tung. El club blanco aún no ha realizado ninguna declaración pública. Un portavoz del Centro de Deportes y Juventud del Grupo de Medios de Comunicación de China, a través de la...
- tportal (Croatia)08:03
Snimka razgovora s Kylianom Mbappéom proširila se društvenim mrežama i izazvala reakcije u Kini. Francuski nogometaš u njoj govori o internetskom memeu koji ga je najviše nasmijao, a opisuje ga kao video s likom za kojeg misli da je kineski diktator. Ime Maa Ce-tunga ne izgovara, no u snimci se pojavljuje fotomontaža njegova lika s Mbappéovim licem.
- Libération (France)08:16
Après deux jours de tollé en Chine autour d’une phrase du numéro 10 français faisant référence à Mao, le porte-parole du ministère des Affaires étrangères, Guo Jiakun, a amorcé un début de désescalade ce mercredi 28 octobre.
- El País (Spain)08:30
Ante la negativa de Pekín a levantar el veto a las retransmisiones pese a los gestos del futbolista y de LaLiga, el club ha lamentado “el malestar que hayan podido causar las recientes palabras” de su jugador
- Channel News Asia08:36
The clip of the video interview saw Kylian Mbappe talk about being amused by an internet meme of his face photoshopped onto "some guy, think he's a Chinese dictator", an apparent reference to Mao Zedong.
- Al Jazeera English08:57
France international Kylian Mbappe's remarks saw him become the latest foreign sports figure to anger Beijing.
- France Info (France)09:03
Les conséquences de la plaisanterie de Kylian Mbappé sur Mao Zedong ont pris une dimension impressionnante en Chine. La polémique atteint désormais le Real Madrid et la Liga.
- Index.hr (Croatia)09:20
STIGLA je službena reakcija kluba.
- Le Figaro (France)09:28
Via un communiqué officiel, le club madrilène regrette «tout désagrément causé par les récents propos de notre joueur, Kylian Mbappé».
- 24sata (Croatia)09:52
Do neočekivanog problema došlo je nakon Mbappéova komentara izrečenog u opuštenom ozračju i bez loše namjere, kada se osvrnuo na šale i internetske memove koji su ga povezivali s Mao Zedongom
- Slobodna Dalmacija (Croatia)09:56
Real Madrid je u srijedu uputio službenu ispriku Kini zbog izjava francuske nogometne zvijezde Kyliana Mbappéa koji je u jednom videu bivšeg kineskog vođu Mao Zedonga nazvao "diktatorom". "Real Madrid se želi ispričati kineskom narodu zbog eventualne nelagode koju su mogle prouzročiti nedavne izjave...
- Le Figaro (France)10:05
VIDÉO - Ce mercredi, le journaliste et animateur de «L’Heure des pros» sur CNews a évoqué la polémique autour du capitaine de l’équipe de France qui a qualifié Mao Zedong de dictateur.
- Vecernji list (Croatia)12:15
"Real Madrid se želi ispričati kineskom narodu zbog eventualne nelagode koju su mogle prouzročiti nedavne izjave našeg igrača Kyliana Mbappéa. Naš klub gaji duboko poštovanje prema Kini, njezinoj povijesti, kulturi i građanima, kao i prema milijunima kineskih navijača koji gaje naklonost i divljenje prema Real Madridu", stoji u priopćenju španjolskog kluba.
- Anadolu Agency (AA)12:28
Kylian Mbappe apologize for hurting people in China after circulation of video showing him saying his favorite meme was one depicting him as Chinese leader Mao Zedong
- Al Jazeera English12:56
Mocking Mao Zedong is taboo in China, which is a lucrative market for players and teams such as Kylian Mbappe's Real.
- N1 Info (Croatia)13:44
Francuska nogometna zvijezda Kylian Mbappé našao se usred međunarodne kontroverze nakon što se na društvenim mrežama proširio video u kojem se našalio
- Der Spiegel (Germany)13:55
Real Madrids Stürmer Kylian Mbappé machte einen Witz über Chinas Volkshelden Mao – und verliert Sponsoren sowie Fernsehzeit. Nun muss er einlenken.
- France Info (France)14:15
Au lendemain de la polémique déclenchée par la plaisanterie du Français, le club espagnol a publié un communiqué, mercredi.
- Süddeutsche Zeitung (Germany)14:24
Kylian Mbappé beleidigt Mao Zedong! Findet zumindest China, und alle entschuldigen sich brav. Der Hintergrund der Geschichte ist ein ungewöhnliches Meme.
- Al Jazeera English15:36
The French superstar's comments about Mao Zedong have drawn the ire of China, a lucrative market for sports teams.
- South China Morning Post15:54
Real Madrid has issued an apology to China over Kylian Mbappe’s controversial remarks about the late Chinese leader Mao Zedong, after the Spanish football club’s initial response failed to quell anger in China. In a statement published on its website on Wednesday, the club apologised to the Chinese people for “any discomfort” caused by the French footballer’s remarks, a day after Mbappe issued his own public apology. The apology came after Chinese state broadcaster CCTV Sports rejected Real...
- ANSA (Italy)16:36
Ancora tante critiche però al giocatore per la battuta su Mao. Real Madrid: 'Profondo rispetto per il vostro popolo'
- ANSA (Italy)16:36
Embargo di Pechino sulle gare di Liga. In pericolo affari per centinaia di milioni
Thu, 29 October 2026
9 reports- ABC (Spain)00:24
El Real Madrid no quiere problemas con China. Ni con su Gobierno, ni con sus instituciones deportivas, ni con los millones de aficionados que tiene repartidos por el gigante asiático. La polémica generada por Mbappé y el meme suyo con la cara de Mao Zedong ha obligado al club blanco a poner por encima de cualquier otra lectura la relación que se ha construido durante años a través de acuerdos comerciales, proyectos educativos y una estrategia internacional que considera al país asiático un...
- Japan Times04:00
After apologies from Mbappe and La Liga did not quell the response in China, La Liga President Javier Tebas set up a crisis unit and met with Chinese ambassador Yao Jing.
- El Mundo (Spain)06:21
La empresa japonesa Sanrio pide perdón y rompe con una serie de espionaje acusada de atacar a China, mientras el Real Madrid intenta apagar el incendio provocado por las palabras de su estrella sobre Mao Zedong. Se repiten los casos en los que la presión china termina doblegando a gigantes internacionales Leer
- Il Fatto Quotidiano (Italy)07:12
Alla fine anche il Real Madrid si è dovuto piegare alla Cina. Martedì, nei corridoi del club, la linea era ancora quella della libertà di espressione: il caso Kylian Mbappé non riguardava direttamente la società e non avrebbe avuto conseguenze sui rapporti commerciali. Meno di ventiquattr’ore dopo, la posizione è cambiata. E sono arrivate le […] L'articolo Il Real Madrid si piega a Pechino: i milioni in gioco dietro le scuse pubbliche al “popolo cinese” dopo il caso Mbappè proviene da Il Fatto...
- Le Figaro (France)07:38
La secrétaire nationale des écologistes Marine Tondelier a estimé que l’attaquant avait eu raison de qualifier le dirigeant chinois de «dictateur». Une position bien différente de celle des Insoumis.
- Al Jazeera English10:30
French star at the centre of controversy after a video appeared to show him making fun of former Chinese leader Mao.
- Al Jazeera English16:43
Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe should be allowed to move on after apology to China, says French football federation chief.
- Anadolu Agency (AA)20:33
Philippe Diallo says Real Madrid forward should be allowed to move on after apologizing for referring to former Chinese leader Mao Zedong as 'dictator'
- BBC News World23:03
His comment about Chinese leader Mao sparked anger but censorship left many wondering what exactly happened.
Fri, 30 October 2026
3 reports- irishtimes.com01:00
Lost sponsors, cancelled broadcasts and public fury underline the consequences for global brands and celebrities who fall foul of Chinese opinion
- El País (Spain)04:30
El país dejó de emitir durante dos años y medio la liga por una opinión del director de los Houston sobre Hong Kong, un caso similar al veto actual al Real Madrid
- iDNES (Czechia)09:00
O předsedu Maa, rudé slunce našich srdcí, jak se v Číně zpívalo, si ještě dneska může spálit prsty i moderní bůh, v tomto případě fotbalový. Přímo Kylian Mbappé. Nevinná poznámka ho bude stát miliony, jeho Real Madrid a španělskou fotbalovou ligu možná i víc. Za to fotbalová superstar získala životní zážitek zavržení, vymazání, nenávisti a osobního ponížení.
Sat, 31 October 2026
5 reports- ABC (Spain)00:16
Las tribulaciones de Mbappé en China han hecho que el Clásico pasara como una tormenta. La autocrítica, recordaba en su día Fueyo, fue una de las técnicas predilectas de la administración mandarinista: todo mandarín debía redactar cada cinco años una lista o confesión escrita de las faltas cometidas por él, por las cuales era luego castigado. Y describía la tradicional institución de los Ko-lao: «Toda autoridad tenía a su lado un observador silencioso, un censor, cuya función única era, como la...
- La Repubblica (Italy)04:00
L’azienda che produce il celebre cartone finisce al centro delle tensioni tra Cina e Giappone
- ibtimes.com09:38
French footballer Kylian Mbappé apologized after making comments implying he found comparisons between him and "dictatorial" Mao Zedong amusing, prompting backlash in China.
- Le Figaro (France)14:46
La TV publique chinoise n’a pas diffusé les deux premiers matchs du week-end du championnat espagnol en raison des propos de Kylian Mbappé sur Mao Zedong.
- France Info (France)14:50
Les deux premiers matchs de la 11e journée de Liga, disputés vendredi et samedi, n'ont pas été diffusés sur la télé publique chinoise.
Sun, 1 November 2026
5 reports- Japan Times01:43
Mourinho said that the club has nothing more to say.
- Index.hr (Croatia)11:38
PRIČA je dobila novi nastavak.
- Le Monde (France)16:15
La télévision publique n’a pas retransmis en direct, dimanche, la rencontre entre le Real Madrid et Santander. Les autres affiches de la 11ᵉ journée du championnat ont connu le même sort.
- Channel News Asia17:35
Mbappe, Real and La Liga later all said sorry for his remarks, and China's foreign ministry said it took the player's apology "seriously".
- El Mundo (Spain)19:26
Los cántabros piden explicaciones por el penalti del 0-1, mientras el portugués asegura que "muchos no se saben las reglas" por pedir penalti en la mano de Tchouaméni. Leer
Mon, 2 November 2026
9 reports- BBC News World03:58
China Media Group, which acknowledged Mbappé's apology, has not said how long the blackout will last.
- Libération (France)04:04
Dommage que le footballeur français affirmé et offensif ait dû en rabattre face au capitalisme nationaliste chinois.
- El País (Spain)04:30
Lo más descriptivo de la broma de Mbappé que ha ofendido a China es que el francés se estaba riendo de sí mismo
- El País (Spain)04:30
Las cartas de este lunes tratan sobre desmontar los relatos extremos de los menores, el temor a los trenes después de la tragedia, la reacción de China contra Mbappé y las cafeterías ambientadas para las redes sociales
- Al Jazeera English08:16
Real Madrid vs Racing Santander is not broadcast on CCTV despite apologies from Mbappe, Real and La Liga.
- Euronews09:24
Kylian Mbappé has apologised after remarks about a meme depicting him as Chinese leader Mao Zedong sparked backlash in China. At least three Chinese companies have ended brand deals with the football star, while the controversy has drawn a response from China's Foreign Ministry.
- Le Monde (France)10:00
Pris dans la tourmente pour avoir associé Mao Zedong, sans le nommer, à un « dictateur », le footballeur français s’est excusé sur le réseau Weibo, mais reste banni des chaînes et des publicités chinoises. Un cas d’école de l’attitude de Pékin, qui impose son récit national aux marques du monde entier, relève Isabelle Chaperon, chroniqueuse au service Economie du « Monde ».
- Le Monde English11:34
Caught in the crossfire for having described Mao Zedong, without naming him, as a 'dictator,' Kylian Mbappé apologized but remains banned from Chinese television channels and advertisements. It is a textbook example of Beijing imposing its national narrative on brands around the world, writes Le Monde columnist Isabelle Chaperon.
- Al Jazeera English17:08
Real Madrid matches still banned in China despite Mbappe apology
Tue, 3 November 2026
1 report- Channel News Asia06:47
Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid and La Liga apologised for the comment after a backlash in China, where mocking former leader Mao Zedong is taboo.
Wed, 4 November 2026
1 report- smh.com.au04:25
The Real Madrid star has been effectively cancelled in China over his remarks about Mao Zedong. But Mbappé-promoted sports drinks were still being sold this week by Chinese vendors oblivious to the scandal.