Mbappe calls Mao Zedong meme comment ‘thoughtless’ after China backlash

Real Madrid and France forward Kylian Mbappe has apologised after a joke involving Mao Zedong provoked widespread criticism in China.

Mbappe shared a meme comparing him with Mao Zedong, who was described in the post as a “Chinese dictator”. He later acknowledged the controversy, saying: “My comment was thoughtless.”

The remarks sparked strong disapproval in China, with reports suggesting that matches from La Liga could be taken off the country’s television schedules.