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Cerfia reported that Kylian Mbappé had apologized after the controversy in China caused by his remarks calling Mao Zedong a "dictator." The captain of the Blues stated that he understood his words had hurt many people in China and the Chinese community around the world, and he had deep respect for the Chinese people and their history. He also expressed his regrets. According to Cerfia, which cited Le Parisien, several Chinese brands had announced they would end their partnership with the player. #KylianMbappé #Chine #respect (translated)

RMadrid has released a statement attributed to Kylian Mbappé, in which the player apologized for a comment made during a recent interview in response to an image featuring him. He acknowledged that his words had been clumsy and hurt many people in China and within the Chinese community worldwide. Mbappé stated that it was not his intention and that he has a deep respect for the Chinese people and their history. #KylianMbappé #Excuses #Chine (translated)

The author claimed that Kylian Mbappé had been penalized overnight and had lost several contracts after calling Mao Zedong a "dictator." He added that the player had apologized and expressed that he was "truly sorry." #KylianMbappé #MaoZedong #excuses https://t.co/pMNG0pZ4lv #KylianMbappé #MaoZedong #excuses #CN #FR (translated)

Kylian Mbappé, having finished a very close second behind Harry Kane in the Ballon d'Or 2026, continues to seek the ultimate individual accolade of a trophy that he considers the Holy Grail, despite a career already rich in achievements. #Ballondor #KylianMbappé #Football (translated)

Bally Bagayoko believes that the Ballon d'Or does not capture either the talent or the greatness of Kylian Mbappé, who was not rewarded this time. He praised his journey, his work, and his ambition, and reminded that the footballer, originally from Bondy in Seine-Saint-Denis, represented a source of hope for young people and his region. Bagayoko added that the responsibility of a global icon cannot be measured by awards and encouraged Mbappé to remain true to his roots, believing that the best chapter of his story may still be to come. #BallonDor #KylianMbappé #Football (translated)

Kylian Mbappé has been dropped by two important Chinese sponsors, and the state television has suspended the broadcast of La Liga after a video emerged in which he seems to joke about Mao Zedong, a gesture considered disrespectful in China. #KylianMbappé #controversia #Cina (translated)

Romain Molina wrote that Beijing accused Kylian Mbappé of hurting national feelings, that the Chinese broadcaster of La Liga had stopped airing the matches he participated in, and that three Chinese companies had ended their sponsorship contracts with him. He recalled that Mbappé had mentioned in the podcast *The Bridge* with Aurélien Tchouaméni memes depicting him, one of which featured Mao. According to Molina, the player had stated that he shared this meme with his friends online while they were playing video games. #KylianMbappé #Pékin #Mèmes (translated)

Cerfia reported that Kylian Mbappé had sparked controversy in China after calling Mao Zedong a Chinese dictator in a video. The captain of the Blues mentioned a humorous montage depicting him as Mao, which he said he found funny and shared with his friends. Cerfia reminded that Mao was responsible for several million deaths, while his image remained sacralized in China. According to Cerfia, the Chinese companies Dongpeng, Mengniu, and Milkground had announced the end of their partnerships with the player, and calls for a boycott were multiplying on social media. The media attributed this information to AFP. #KylianMbappé #MaoZedong #Polémique (translated)

BeFootball relayed Bertrand Latour's comments on Kylian Mbappé's second place at the Ballon d'Or. The journalist expressed satisfaction that, in his opinion, the jurors did not yield to the star's demands and stated that Mbappé had exerted unprecedented pressure. Latour also questioned Mbappé's references to Africa, claiming he had visited four times, including once in Cameroon. He added that the only interview the player had not given was to Journal de Mickey in France and suggested that politics was about the presidential election of 2027 while football was played on the fields. He criticized Mbappé for falling out with long-time friends over the Ballon d'Or while he believed the player had not won anything this season. However, Latour acknowledged that Mbappé was a major player, capable of scoring 40 goals a year, and could win the trophy if he secured titles. He deemed that Mbappé had exerted pressure in vain, believing he should not even have been on the podium and did not understand how he finished ahead of Lamine Yamal. Latour added that, without this pressure, Mbappé would likely not have been on the podium. #BallonDor #Football #KylianMbappé (translated)

Harry Kane won the Ballon d'Or during the Monday gala, and Lamine Yamal took third place, which France Football head Vincent Garcia attributed to the dilution of votes among Spanish players and the difficulty in distinguishing individual achievements in the team of world champions. #ZłotaPiłka #HarryKane #KylianMbappe (translated)

Two large Chinese companies, Dongpeng and Mengniu, have ended their collaboration with Kylian Mbappé after the publication of a video in which he allegedly appears to joke about the former Chinese leader Mao Zedong, which was considered offensive. #KylianMbappé #Chine #PolitiqueDeToléranceZéro (translated)