Mbappé Apologises Over Mao Zedong Meme Comment as Three Chinese Companies End Brand Deals
French football star Kylian Mbappé has apologised after a backlash in China over his comments about a meme depicting him as Chinese leader Mao Zedong.
In a video clip, Mbappé was asked about his favourite meme of himself. He replied that it was a video of a man he described as “a Chinese dictator”, before an altered image showed his face placed on Mao's body.
The controversy spread across Chinese social media. At least three Chinese companies have terminated their brand deals with the footballer.
China's Foreign Ministry has also responded to the incident.
In Beijing, some residents said they were unsure what Mbappé had said, while others believe he should apologise again.
Chinese state broadcaster CCTV also pulled a Real Madrid La Liga match from its Sunday broadcast schedule following the controversy.
