Kylian Mbappe, the France captain and Real Madrid forward, apologised on Tuesday for an "ill-judged" remark linked to Mao Zedong, China's founding leader, after a backlash among Chinese fans cost him at least two sponsors in the country.
In a video that circulated online, Mbappe, without naming Mao, said the funniest internet meme he had seen put his face onto that of "some guy – I think he's a Chinese dictator". According to sources, the clip was filmed in April before an interview.
"My comment was ill-judged and I now understand that it hurt many people in China and in Chinese communities around the world," the 27-year-old said in a statement in French, Mandarin and English. "I have deep respect for the Chinese people and their history, and I am sincerely sorry."
Chinese drinks maker Dongpeng ended its contract with him "with immediate effect", and Mengniu, China's largest dairy producer, also cut ties. Chinese state television has reportedly halted broadcasts of all La Liga and Mbappe-related events. La Liga and its president Javier Tebas apologised to China, while a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said words that hurt the feelings of the Chinese people would meet opposition from all sectors of Chinese society.