Mbappe not only did not win the Ballon d'Or in one night, but also lost three major contracts with Chinese sponsors. All because of a conversation about favorite memes French footballer Kylian Mbappe recently appeared as a guest on the football podcast The Bridge. Several questions from the presenters were about memes, including Mbappe's favorite meme with himself. The footballer replied that what amuses him the most is the video where his face is "imposed on some guy, I think he's a Chinese dictator". This guy turned out to be Mao Zedong. Last night, around the same time Mbappe lost the Ballon d'Or vote to Harry Kane, Chinese football forum Dongquad drew attention to his interview. After that, Mbappe's reaction spread on Chinese social networks, and this morning the advertising contracts with him were canceled by the major beverage manufacturer Dongfeng, the milk company Manganiyo and the cheese manufacturer Miaokelanduo. It wasn't just Mbapa that started having problems. The Chinese state broadcaster CCTV has suspended broadcasts of the Spanish league, the championship in which Mbappe plays for Real Madrid. Mbappe responded by calling his comment thoughtless and an apology. My comment was thoughtless and I now realize that it offended many people in China and Chinese communities around the world. I apologize to anyone who was offended by my words. I have deep respect for the Chinese people and their history, and I sincerely regret - said the football player in a statement on social networks.

Mbappe not only did not win the Ballon d'Or in one night, but also lost three major contracts with Chinese sponsors. All because of a conversation about favorite memes French footballer Kylian Mbappe recently appeared as a guest on the football podcast The Bridge. Several questions from the presenters were about memes, including Mbappe's favorite meme with himself. The footballer replied that what amuses him the most is the video where his face is "imposed on some guy, I think he's a Chinese dictator". This guy turned out to be Mao Zedong. Last night, around the same time Mbappe lost the Ballon d'Or vote to Harry Kane, Chinese football forum Dongquad drew attention to his interview. After that, Mbappe's reaction spread on Chinese social networks, and this morning the advertising contracts with him were canceled by the major beverage manufacturer Dongfeng, the milk company Manganiyo and the cheese manufacturer Miaokelanduo. It wasn't just Mbapa that started having problems. The Chinese state broadcaster CCTV has suspended broadcasts of the Spanish league, the championship in which Mbappe plays for Real Madrid. Mbappe responded by calling his comment thoughtless and an apology. My comment was thoughtless and I now realize that it offended many people in China and Chinese communities around the world. I apologize to anyone who was offended by my words. I have deep respect for the Chinese people and their history, and I sincerely regret - said the football player in a statement on social networks.