Kylian Mbappe apologises after ‘dictator’ comment angers Chinese fans

[ety]

Chinese should stop being crazy about foreign sports teams and players and China should stop being a big lucrative market for them.

 

[ChineseTiger1986]

Chinese should stop being crazy about foreign sports teams and players and China should stop being a big lucrative market for them.

It is not about Mbappe, but a warning to those anti-Mao folks inside China.

Tell them how much Chairman Mao has always been supported by the vast majority of the Chinese people.

Those anti-Mao folks are just the synonym of those pro-west Chinese that we often spoken about.

 

[MH.Yang]

So Mao was not a dictator?

It's not soccer players fault, it's the fault of a brainless society who take celebrities as leader of opinion, like if the political opinion of a soccer player should be better than average.

They are free to give opinions like any other person.

If Mao were really a dictator, Mbappe's remarks would not have angered almost all Chinese people.

First of all, you need to understand that the evaluation of Mao by Chinese people is the most important and authentic, not a Frenchman.

 

[MH.Yang]

sports shouldn't pay so much where players words start carrying all that shit weight.......who would care if these "players" didnt get paid millions to kick a ball around......

when we start giving too much importance to NOBODIES......damn

Whether it's athletes, politicians, or businesses, if they harm Chinese people, they must be sanctioned. This is the rule announced by China. If Westerners do not accept this rule, they can choose to resist it, but we do not care. We will persist in imposing sanctions to the end.

 

[MH.Yang]

They are free to give opinions like any other person.

He has freedom of speech, and we also have the freedom to refuse to associate with any business organization which related to him.

This is fair.

 

[Yellow is Okay]

Never been sold on this guy as a generation-defining player. Hyped as the next big thing since winning the WC as a teenager, he's now pushing 29 with 0 Ballon d'Ors and 0 UCLs. PSG won back-to-back UCLs the second he left, and Dembele even won a Ballon d'Or before him. Wouldn't surprise me one bit if he leaves Madrid with nothing too.

 

[Beijingwalker]

Why the west still harbors pathological hatred towards Mao even over half a century after his death? simply put, he shook the very foundation of western white supremacy.

 

[Beijingwalker]

Real Madrid Issues Public Apology to China Over Mbappé's Mao Zedong Comments​

Real Madrid has apologized to the Chinese people following Kylian Mbappé’s remarks that were considered to be disrespectful of Mao Zedong, the founding leader of Communist China

By Associated Press
Oct. 28, 2026, at 6:39 a.m.

KIN CHEUNG

France's soccer player Kylian Mbappé attends the Ballon d'Or ceremony at the London Palladium Theatre in London, England, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026 . (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

MADRID (AP) — Real Madrid apologized to the Chinese people Wednesday following Kylian Mbappé’s remarks that were considered to be disrespectful of Mao Zedong, the founding leader of Communist China.

Madrid’s apology came a day after Mbappé expressed regret over his comments amid a fallout over the issue.

“Real Madrid C.F. wishes to express its apologies to the Chinese people for any discomfort that may have been caused by the recent words of our player Kylian Mbappé,” the club said in a statement.

“Our club holds deep respect for China, its history, its culture, and its citizens, as well as for the millions of Chinese fans who feel affection and admiration for Real Madrid.”
In an online interview, Mbappé had talked about his favorite meme of himself and apparently referred to Mao Zedong as “a Chinese dictator.”

There was immediate backlash and the France striker lost brand deals with at least three different Chinese companies. He later said his comment was “ill-judged” and “I now understand that it hurt many people in China and in Chinese communities” around the world.

Madrid said it “joins the public apology” expressed by Mbappé.

"Real Madrid reaffirms its commitment to the values of respect, coexistence, and understanding among cultures, and expresses its desire to continue strengthening the bonds of friendship and affection that unite it with China and its citizens,” the club said.

China Media Group (CMG) had said it suspended broadcasts of matches in the Spanish league and other games featuring the superstar player, and demanded an apology from La Liga, Mbappé and Madrid.

CMG said it received the apology from Madrid, without adding further comment.

The Spanish league has also apologized.

China’s Foreign Ministry said Wednesday it took Mbappé's apology “seriously” but it remained to be seen whether it would help him regain the brand deals or other businesses he lost Tuesday.

https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2026-10-28/real-madrid-issues-public-apology-to-china-over-mbappes-mao-zedong-comments

 

[Trailer23]

Chinese should stop being crazy about foreign sports teams and players and China should stop being a big lucrative market for them.

There are plenty of Big Names in the NBA that are now leaving brands like Nike, adidas, Reebok - & signing up with Chinese Brands.

​

@retaxis

 

[retaxis]

There are plenty of Big Names in the NBA that are now leaving brands like Nike, adidas, Reebok - & signing up with Chinese Brands.

View attachment 221207

View attachment 221208

View attachment 221209
​

@retaxis

Yeah China broke into the shoes market quite recently

My wife is into running and Hoka/Asics use to be top brands in that division but a lot of Chinese shoes priced around $150 are comparable to $400 western brands like ANTA and Lining

 

[retaxis]

NBA use to have a very anti-china player called Enes Kanter who is turkish. He called lebron james LeMao and criticises not just China but Turkish AKP party harshly. He is actually a decent player but his antics and political views on China and Turkey to lesser extent got him pushed out of the NBA

 

[Trailer23]

NBA use to have a very anti-china player called Enes Kanter who is turkish.

The man..., or should I call "A Woman" is a disgrace to Turkey.

After his career came to an end, he recently tried to get drafted in the upcoming 2027 WNBA Draft.

That person has issues & needs a life.

 

[retaxis]

The man..., or should I call "A Woman" is a disgrace to Turkey.

After his career came to an end, he recently tried to get drafted in the upcoming 2027 WNBA Draft.

That person has issues & needs a life.

He can't return to Turkey because he insulted Erdogan and AKP so much his life would be in danger so he is a refuge basically.

Plus he got nothing to do besides changing his last name to Freedom and playing drama politics

 

[Beijingwalker]

Fans burn Mbappe's shirt in China, "I will never forgive him"​

Oct.28 2026

Fire of anger erupts in China

Chinese anger against Kylian Mbappé is no longer confined to official decisions suspending broadcasts and cutting sponsorship deals. It has spilled onto the streets and turned into real flames.

As Beijing reviewed the French star's apology issued in three languages, Chinese fans vented their fury in another way: stamping on his pictures and burning his shirts in front of the cameras. The message was clear. No apology will heal the wound inflicted on their national symbol.

The crisis between Mbappé and the Chinese public is escalating. It has moved beyond the corridors of diplomacy and the meeting halls to reach a sweeping wave of popular anger, documented by video clips that spread like wildfire on social media.

Days earlier, the Real Madrid player had commented on a satirical image combining his face with that of the former Chinese leader Mao Zedong, calling it one of his favourite pictures. The government responded by suspending the broadcast of Real Madrid matches on the official CCTV channel. The public did not stop there.

Widely circulated clips show fans expressing their anger in stark, symbolic fashion. One stamped his feet on posters bearing Mbappé's image before turning to the camera with furious words: "I feel extreme anger at what I heard from Mbappé's comments about China. I am imposing a severe boycott on him and I will never forgive him."

The scene did not stop there. The fan took out a lighter and set fire to a shirt bearing Mbappé's name. Strikingly, it was the France national team shirt that burned, not the Real Madrid one, a sign that the anger is aimed at the man himself and not only at his club.



These scenes confirm the crisis runs deeper than a commercial or sporting dispute. For this Asian country, Mao Zedong, founder of the People's Republic of China, is a national symbol and a red line that cannot be crossed. That explains the scale of a reaction that the apologies of the player, his club and the Spanish league association have so far failed to calm.

On video: fans burn Mbappe's shirt in China: "I will never forgive him" | Goal.com

Chinese anger against Kylian Mbappé is no longer confined to official decisions to suspend broadcasts and sever sponsorship contracts. It has spilled onto the streets and turned into real flames.

www.goal.com

 

[Beijingwalker]

LaLiga chief Javier Tebas holds talks with Chinese ambassador over Mbappé-Mao controversy​

Adriana Garcia
Oct 28, 2026, 06:26 AM ET

LaLiga president Javier Tebas has met with China's Ambassador to Spain, Yao Jing, to "find solutions" to the Kylian Mbappé alleged dictator comment.

Comments made by the Real Madrid striker regarding a "meme" comparing him to Mao Zedong, the founder of the People's Republic of China, sparked controversy in the Asian country.

EFE reported that Chinese state broadcaster CCTV suspended evening broadcasts of LaLiga matches and any games involving Mbappé.

"Today I held a meeting with the Chinese Ambassador to Spain to discuss the situation arising from Kylian Mbappé's comments and to seek solutions to move past this incident," Tebas wrote on X.

"Over recent years, LaLiga has worked closely with the Chinese authorities, football organisations, broadcasters and businesses in the country to promote the growth and popularity of Spanish football in China, while also contributing to the development and growth of Chinese football itself by sharing our experience, expertise and resources."

Kylian Mbappé has apologised for his comments. Photo by Pedro Salado/Getty Images
LaLiga has partnership deals with different Chinese organisations, including a strategic agreement with the Chinese Professional Football League (CFL) through 2029.

It also has agreements with China Media Group (CMG) for the growth of Chinese football and to bring "our competitions closer to millions of fans."

Tebas said he hopes the "single incident" does not affect their rapport.

"This is a relationship built on mutual respect, trust and cooperation, which we must preserve and continue to strengthen," Tebas wrote. "We are committed to continuing to work together to ensure that a single incident does not undermine the significant progress made or affect the millions of Chinese fans who follow our competitions. China is, and will continue to be, a strategic partner for LaLiga."

At least three companies have cut ties with the France and Madrid star since his comment.

Mbappé issued an apology to the Chinese people on Tuesday on his social media, stating that his comment regarding Mao Zedong was "ill-judged."

Real Madrid, who own a percentage of Mbappé's image rights, also joined their player in apologising to the Chinese people.

"Real Madrid C.F. wishes to express its apologies to the Chinese people for any discomfort that may have been caused by the recent words of our player Kylian Mbappé," a club statement said on Wednesday.

"Our club holds deep respect for China, its history, its culture, and its citizens, as well as for the millions of Chinese fans who feel affection and admiration for Real Madrid."

https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/50306336/laliga-chief-javier-tebas-holds-crisis-talks-chinese-ambassador-mbappe-mao-controversy