French football star Kylian Mbappé has apologized for referring to former Chinese leader Mao Zedong as a dictator during a television appearance. A clip containing the remark recently resurfaced on social media.

Radio Svoboda reported the apology on Tuesday, October 27. Mbappé said he now understood that his answer had offended many people in China as well as members of Chinese communities worldwide.

The 27-year-old Real Madrid player lost contracts with several Chinese brands following the renewed attention. They included sports-drink producer Dongpeng and dairy company Milkground.

Mbappé made the comment while discussing an internet meme on the French talk show The Bridge in spring 2026. La Liga president Javier Tebas condemned the remark, apologized to the Chinese people and said long-standing ties with China should not be undermined by a single episode.