Kylian Mbappé Apologizes After China Uproar Over "Mbappé Mao" Meme and "Dictator" Remark

This is a photo combining the face of French football player Kylian Mbappé and Mao Zedong, the late former chairman known as the founding father of China.

It is the so-called "Mbappé Mao" meme that spread across various social media platforms, and it became embroiled in controversy after Mbappé stated in a media interview that this meme was his personal favorite.

[Kylian Mbappé / French Football Player: The funniest one was when someone photoshopped my face onto a video, probably of a Chinese dictator. I use it often when gaming with online friends.]

Although he did not mention a name, describing him effectively as a dictator became the issue.

Fierce backlash erupted in China, with three major corporations that used Mbappé as a model deciding to cancel their advertisements, and a Chinese broadcaster announcing the suspension of broadcasts for Spain's La Liga, where Mbappé currently plays.

Even China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stepped in to criticize him.

[Guo Jiakun / Spokesperson, Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Words and deeds that hurt the feelings of the Chinese people will naturally face collective opposition from all walks of Chinese society.]

As the fallout grew, Mbappé released an official statement to apologize.

In the apology written in English, French, and Chinese, Mbappé stated, "My remarks were inappropriate. I now realize that they hurt many people in China and the global overseas Chinese community," adding, "I apologize to everyone who was hurt by my remarks."

He went on to emphasize, "I have deep respect for the Chinese people and Chinese history."

Even the president of La Liga stepped forward to express apologies, but critical public opinion within China shows little sign of subsiding.

The state-run People's Daily strongly criticized the act in a commentary, calling it "biting the hand that feeds," and China's CCTV also stated, "We will monitor Mbappé's future actions," indicating that the aftermath is expected to continue for some time.

(Reported by Han Sang-woo | Video by Shin Se-eun | Produced by SBS Digital News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.