World
China made Mbappé apologise - but many don't know exactly what he said
His comment about Chinese leader Mao sparked anger but censorship left many wondering what exactly happened.
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World
China punishes Mbappé: the price of a controversial meme over Mao
A joke about a meme has triggered a crisis between Killian Mbappé and China. The French striker reacted in an interview to a manipulated image that represented him as Mao Zedong, a former Chinese leader he referred to as a dictator. The controversy has had commercial and sports consequences: three Chinese companies have broken their agreements with the football player and state television has suspended LaLiga's broadcasts in which the gala comes out. Mbappé, the Spanish competition and Real Madrid have apologized. Why has the reference to Mao caused such a strong reaction and
World
Mbappé's China faux pas: When the sports world collides with the complexities of geopolitics
François Picard welcomes Igor Mladenovic, a French-Serbian sports writer, sports business analyst and former football commentator based in Luxembourg. For Mladenovic, the backlash in China over Kylian Mbappé's playful reference to a meme depicting him in the likeness of Mao Zedong illustrates a dilemma of the digital age: how a seemingly innocuous anecdote from a football superstar can escalate into a geopolitical firestorm.
World
China: French star Kylian Mbappé apologises, Beijing says take her words to the "serious"
Kylian Mbappé's apology is not enough on Wednesday 28 October to dispel criticism of him on Chinese social networks. The captain of the French team apologized on Tuesday 27 October for talking about former leader Mao Zedong in the podcast The Bridge.
World
Kylian Mbappé must have apologized after laughing at a joke about Mao Zedong
Several large Chinese companies have broken their collaboration with Kylian Mbappé. The player apologized, invoking "a deep respect for the Chinese people and their history".
World
Kylian Mbappé apologises after Mao Zedong joke
Several major Chinese companies have ended their partnerships with Kylian Mbappé after he joked about former Chinese leader Mao Zedong. Mbappé has apologised, citing "a deep respect for the Chinese people and their history".
Business
Kylian Mbappé faces China backlash as sponsors cut ties over viral meme
Chinese state media has warned Kylian Mbappé that his apology over remarks referring to Mao Zedong as a dictator will be judged against his actions.
World
Mbappé asks for forgiveness after unleashing outrage in China: "I am truly sorry"
Killian Mbappé stated on Tuesday, October 27, that he was "sincerely sorry" for his "clumsy statements" about Chinese leader Mao Zedong, in the midst of a wave of criticism in the Asian nation. The outrage in China led to the cancellation of advertising contracts with the French football star and even spilled LaLiga, whose rebroadcasts were suspended and which now attempts to amend the matter.
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World
Mbappé in the eye of the hurricane in China by meme over Mao Zedong
The well-known football player, Killian Mbappé, lost the sponsorship of two major Chinese sponsors and caused the cancellation of the Spanish league's retransmission in that country, after he commented in an interview about a meme with his face over who he believes is a Chinese dictator, who called "the funniest," but he is the founder of communist China, Mao Zedong.
World
Watch: The Mbappé-Chairman Mao controversy explained
Kylian Mbappé has apologised for "ill-judged" comments he made about late Chinese leader Mao Zedong.
World
Mbappé apologizes for a comment about Mao that unleashed a wave of criticism and boycott in China
The French star referred to the former Chinese leader as a "dictator" during an interview on memes.
World
China: Mbappé Apologies · Global Voices
French superstar Kylian Mbappé presented "his apologies" and said "seriously sorry" after facing a shielding and cancellation of advertising contracts in China following the online broadcast of a video in which he seems to be joking about former historical leader Mao Zedong.
World
China: Kylian Mbappled at the Heart of Controversy · Global Voices
French football star Kylian Mbappé sees some of her advertising contracts in China broken following the release of a video in which he seems to be joking about Mao Zedong. Now, three companies, which used the name and image of the star, announced on Tuesday, 27 October, the immediate break in their cooperation with Kylian Mbappé. They claim "zero tolerance" against any action or declaration that is considered offensive to the nation.
World
Mbappé apologizes for his "bad" remarks on Mao after the controversy in China
The French star had called the former Chinese leader a "dictator" in an interview about memes.
World
China: Kylian Mbappé accused of offending national sentiments · Global Voices
Kylian Mbappé faces a raise of shields and cancellation of advertising contracts in China after the online broadcast of a video in which the French football star seems to be joking about former historical leader Mao Zedong.
World
Mbappé apologizes after "huttering national feelings" and losing contracts in China
Two Chinese companies ended their collaboration with Kylian Mbappé, said he had hit the "national sentiments", after the footballer joked about former historical leader Mao Zedong. The French star then presented her "apologies" in a press release, saying "seriously sorry".
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World
Mbappé sorry for 'ill-judged' Mao remark after backlash in China
The France star had referred to the former Chinese leader as a "dictator" during an interview about memes.
World
The English front Harry Kane and the Spanish Alexia Putellas conquer the Golden Ball 2026
Harry Kane, front of the Bayern in Munich and the English team, was crowned on Monday, October 26, in London, with the Golden Ball. The Spanish centrocampist Alexia Putellas, for her part, received the Women's Gold Ball, the highest individual award of female football after another season of success with her club and selection.
World
Mbappé, Kane and Yamal top favourites list in wide open 2026 Ballon d’Or race
French forward Kylian Mbappé, England captain Harry Kane and Spain's Lamine Yamal are among the favourites to be crowned the 2026 Ballon d'Or winner at a ceremony to be hosted Monday for the first time in England in recognition of the first winner Stanley Matthews.
World
Mbappé will be able to play with Real Madrid again after the stop after his injury to France
Evidence shows that the attacker suffered a hyperextension of the back left knee capsule in the Turkish-France, of which he will be recovered in less than two weeks