The creator of a viral meme combining Chinese leader Mao Zedong with French football captain Kylian Mbappé has said he feels sorry for the player amid the online attention.
The meme, which juxtaposes images of Mao and Mbappé, gained traction on social media. Its creator, who has not been named publicly, told Get French Football News on October 29, 2026 that he regrets the impact on the France captain.
Mbappé, who leads the French national team, has been the subject of numerous internet memes throughout his career. The latest iteration sparked discussion about the boundaries of political and sports satire.
