French football star Kylian Mbappé has apologised after comments about a meme depicting him as Chinese leader Mao Zedong sparked a backlash in China.

In a video clip, Mbappé was asked about his favourite meme of himself. He replied that it was “a video someone made of a guy ... I think he was a Chinese dictator”, before an altered image showed his face on Mao’s body.

The controversy has spread across Chinese social media. At least three Chinese companies have terminated brand deals with the footballer, and China's Foreign Ministry has responded to the incident.

In Beijing, some residents said they were unsure what Mbappé had said, while others believe he should apologise again.

Chinese state broadcaster CCTV also pulled a Real Madrid La Liga match from its Sunday broadcast schedule following the controversy.