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Mbappe says sorry to China after diplomatic row over Mao joke

The Australian Financial Review (AFR) •
October 27, 2026 • 10:06 PM
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Two major food-and-beverage brands cut ties with the France captain after a video circulated online showing the player apparently laughing off internet memes.

Mbappe says sorry to China after diplomatic row over Mao joke

London | French national and Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe has apologised to China after causing a diplomatic storm over light-hearted comments about Mao Zedong, the nation’s former leader.

Two major food-and-beverage brands cut ties with the France captain after a video circulated online showing Mbappe apparently laughing off internet memes he had seen of himself. He said his favourite image had been his face photoshopped onto that of “some guy – I think he’s a Chinese dictator”.

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