Kylian Mbappé apologizes for Mao remark as brands drop him after Clásico heroics

Kylian Mbappé has issued a public apology after comments about former Chinese leader Mao Zedong led to a swift commercial backlash in China. The Real Madrid forward's 'ill-judged' remark, made on a French talk show, prompted at least three major Chinese brands to terminate their partnerships with him this week.

Mbappé's apology follows swift commercial fallout

Mbappé stated on Tuesday, October 25, 2026, that he now understands his words 'hurt many people in China and in Chinese communities around the world.' He offered a sincere apology. The controversy stems from a clip where he laughed at a meme comparing him to a 'Chinese dictator,' an apparent reference to Mao Zedong. Chinese firms Dongpeng, Mengniu, and Milkground all cut ties, issuing statements opposing actions that 'hurt national sentiment.' The China Football Association also lodged a formal protest with Real Madrid.

US political committee defends Mbappé's remarks

In a striking international development, the United States Select Committee on China publicly backed the footballer. In a social media statement, the committee told Mbappé he 'should not apologize for calling Mao Zedong a dictator.' It described Mao as a figure whose policies 'killed tens of millions' and criticized companies for rushing to apologize to protect business interests. This intervention adds a geopolitical dimension to what began as a personal and commercial dispute, placing Mbappé at the center of a wider ideological clash.

Ballon d'Or runner-up spot caps a bittersweet week

Just days before the Mao controversy erupted, Mbappé attended the Ballon d'Or ceremony in London on Monday, October 24. He finished second, behind Bayern Munich's Harry Kane. It marks another near miss for the French superstar, who has now been fourth, third, and second in the award's voting but never first. Analysts point to Real Madrid's trophy-less 2025-26 season as a key reason he missed out, despite his individual World Cup Golden Boot and record-breaking goal tally in that tournament.

His Clásico double delivers a seismic victory for Madrid

On the pitch, Mbappé's week was defined by a monumental performance. On Sunday, October 23, he scored both goals in Real Madrid's dramatic 2-1 away win against Barcelona. His winner, a cool finish from Eduardo Camavinga's pass in the 87th minute, ended Barcelona's perfect start to the LaLiga season and ignited the title race under new manager José Mourinho. It was Mbappé's 10th career goal against Barcelona, but arguably his most important yet for Madrid.

Key Takeaways from Mbappé's Week

• Commercial Impact: Chinese brands Dongpeng, Mengniu, and Milkground ended deals with Mbappé following his Mao comments.
• On-Field Hero: He scored a decisive late double to secure a 2-1 win for Real Madrid at Barcelona on October 23.
• Award Near-Miss: Mbappé finished as runner-up to Harry Kane for the 2026 Ballon d'Or on October 24.
• Political Ripples: The U.S. Select Committee on China defended his right to call Mao a 'dictator,' contrasting with the official Chinese response.