Mbappé apologizes for calling Mao a dictator: Carine Galli denounces lack of courage

Kylian Mbappé apologized to China after calling Mao Zedong a “dictator” on the The Bridge show, triggering the termination of several commercial partnerships and a suspension of La Liga matches on Chinese state television.

The controversy erupted after a video was released in which the Real Madrid forward joked about a meme depicting him as the founder of the People’s Republic. His remarks sparked strong outrage in China: companies Dongpeng and Mengniu ended their contracts with him, and state television withdrew his advertisements while suspending La Liga broadcasts. Faced with the scale of the controversy, Mbappé issued a statement acknowledging “clumsy” remarks and reaffirming his respect for the Chinese people.

Questioned on the Estelle Midi show on Wednesday, journalist Carine Galli was blunt. “What’s crazy is that he was abandoned right away, because it’s all about money, on La Liga’s part, on Real Madrid’s part, which is his own club too, which also apologized. Obviously I find it completely crazy that we’ve reached this point,” she said.

For Galli, the real issue lies elsewhere: “What he said is a reality. Obviously, Mao is a dictator. Except in China, there is no freedom of speech. You can’t say what you want about history, especially that country’s history. And so, to save his millions and to save his advertising contracts, he obviously issued a little statement to apologize.”

The journalist also pointed out an inconsistency in the player’s usual stance: “Usually, he’s firmer, let’s say. There are easier battles. When you don’t want to, for example, promote sports betting with the federation, the consequences and repercussions aren’t the same.” A jab recalling Mbappé’s past refusal to participate in certain communication operations for the French Football Federation — a power struggle with far lower financial stakes.