Mbappe calls Mao Zedong meme comment ‘thoughtless’ after China backlash

Published on: 27 October 2026

Real Madrid and France forward Kylian Mbappe has apologised after a joke involving Mao Zedong provoked widespread criticism in China.

Mbappe shared a meme comparing him with Mao Zedong, who was described in the post as a “Chinese dictator”. He later acknowledged the controversy, saying: “My comment was thoughtless.”

The remarks sparked strong disapproval in China, with reports suggesting that matches from La Liga could be taken off the country’s television schedules.

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