Mbappe Apologises After Mao Remarks Spark Backlash in China

French footballer Kylian Mbappe has apologised for comments in which he appeared to describe Mao Zedong, the founder of communist China, as a dictator.

The Real Madrid player faced criticism in China over the remarks, which also had commercial consequences for him.

Mbappe lost advertising partnerships with three Chinese companies following the controversy. The companies were not identified in the available details.

His apology came after the backlash and the loss of those partnerships. It remains unclear whether it will affect the companies’ decisions.