Kylian Mbappé apologizes for 'dictator' comment after being dropped from multiple partnerships in China

At least three Chinese companies have reportedly ended their brand deals with soccer star Kylian Mbappé after he made reference to a meme of former communist leader Mao Zedong, according to the Associated Press.

The companies, Dongpeng, Mengniu and Milkground all released statements Tuesday announcing they were ending agreements with Mbappé. While the companies did not give a reason for ending their partnerships, the statements made reference to "any words and actions that hurt national sentiment."

Those decisions come after a clip from French talk show "The Bridge" circulated on social media in which Mbappé referenced a meme where his face is photoshopped over an image of Zedong. When discussing the meme, Mbappé referred to Zedong as "a Chinese dictator."

Backlash over that comment escalated quickly, leading to Mbappé issuing an apology Tuesday.

"My comment was ill-judged, and I now understand that it hurt many people in China and in Chinese communities around the world," Mbappé said in a statement Tuesday. "I apologize to everyone my words have upset," he said. "This was absolutely not my intention. I have deep respect for the Chinese people and their history, and I am sincerely sorry."

"My comment was ill-judged, and I now understand that it hurt many people in China and in Chinese communities around the world," Mbappé said in a statement Tuesday.

"I apologize to everyone my words have upset," he said. "This was absolutely not my intention. I have deep respect for the Chinese people and their history, and I am sincerely sorry."

Prior to his apology, La Liga issued a statement distancing itself from Mbappé's comments. That statement came after reports emerged suggesting La Liga broadcasts were suspended in China over Mbappé's statement.

La Liga president Javier Tebas Medrano also released a statement Tuesday apologizing for Mbappé's comments and saying the league was "working directly with our partners and interlocutors in China to overcome this situation."