Mbappe has grown used to seeing his face and name brought up in thousands of memes on social media. Jokingly, Real Madrid‘s No. 10 is often referred to as “The Dictator,” with his face photoshopped onto some of the most infamous figures in world history.

However, Mbappe wasn’t careful enough when addressing the topic, and his comments, which were meant as a joke, rubbed Chinese fans the wrong way. This has led to a harsh backlash, with Mbappe, Real Madrid, and LaLiga as a whole now facing the consequences.

“My favorite Mbappe meme? The one where they put my face on a Chinese dictator,” Mbappe reportedly said, referring to former Chinese leader Mao Zedong, during an interview with The Bridge. “It really makes me laugh, I use it with my friends all the time.”

Mbappe apologizes for his comment

Mbappe is never one to mince words and is an active political voice on several issues related to world politics. Thus, it’s hard to imagine he isn’t familiar with Mao Zedong, meaning that calling the former Chinese Communist Party leader a dictator wasn’t a mistake. Perhaps it was a slip of the tongue, but an extremely costly one nevertheless. Shortly after the strong reaction in China, Mbappe released a statement of his own.

“During a recent interview, I reacted to an image of myself. My comment was ill-judged, and I now understand that it hurt many people in China and in Chinese communities around the world. I apologise to everyone my words have upset,” Mbappe’s statement read, per @MadridXtra on X. “This was absolutely not my intention. I have deep respect for the Chinese people and their history. I am sincerely sorry.”

China suspends LaLiga broadcasts

As a result of Mbappe’s viral comment about Mao Zedong, China‘s state-owned television broadcaster decided to suspend the broadcasting of LaLiga games until further notice.

Establishing a presence in the Chinese market was a strategic goal LaLiga had achieved through years of work, and that house of cards has come crashing down in seconds after Mbappe made a comment many believed was harmless but that stirred up controversy in China. Now, LaLiga is paying the full price.

For added context, some years ago, LaLiga scheduled El Clasico for an early noon kickoff to attract more viewers in the Asian market, particularly in China. All that work may have gone down the drain after Mbappe called Mao a dictator while laughing and speaking strictly about memes, not politics.

LaLiga sends out a statement

Instead of sitting idle with their arms crossed, LaLiga responded with a lengthy statement expressing regret over Mbappe’s comments and seeking a peaceful way out of the predicament Real Madrid’s star has put the entire league in.

“La Liga deeply regrets the offense caused by Kylian Mbappe’s recent comments among Chinese fans,” LaLiga president Javier Tebas stated on X. “These comments were made in a personal capacity and do not represent LALIGA. To the extent of our institutional responsibility, we apologize on behalf of LALIGA and all its clubs.

“Spanish football upholds respect, coexistence, and unity among people of all cultures. We convey our respect to China, its institutions, and its people, and we deeply value the support of the millions of fans who follow us each week. We reaffirm our commitment to a relationship built over years.

“We are working with our partners and institutional interlocutors in China to address this situation. Likewise, in collaboration with the clubs and players, we will implement a protocol for awareness and communication that promotes respect for different cultures and helps prevent similar situations.“

Mbappe loses business deals in China

LaLiga and Real Madrid aren’t the only ones affected by Mbappe’s comments. The French star is paying a steep price, too. According to Europa Press, Chinese brands like Dongpeng and Mengniu have immediately terminated their partnerships with Mbappe following his labeling of Mao Zedong as a dictator.

Dongpeng released a statement making it clear that it firmly opposes any action that hurts Chinese national pride and maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward such actions. It remains to be seen whether more brands will follow suit and react to Mbappe’s comments.

Still, it’s clear that the controversy has led to significant financial losses for the player, his club, and LaLiga as a whole. Whether bridges can be rebuilt remains to be seen. For the time being, though, Mbappe’s and LaLiga’s apologetic statements might be good starts.

Key takeaways

• Kylian Mbappe’s remarks calling Mao Zedong a dictator triggered widespread controversy in China.
• China’s state-owned broadcaster suspended televising LaLiga matches until further notice.
• Kylian Mbappe released statement apologizing for comment about Mao Zedong.

In fact, Mbappe is clearly at peace with that possibility. As he said, “Harry Kane Ballon d’Or? It would be well deserved!“ Mbappe and Kane are two of the most likely players to join the list of Ballon d’Or winners in history.

An accidental leak of the 2026 Ballon d’Or podium went viral, and both of them are featured in the podium. Hence, there is a very real possibility that one of these two players gets the award.

Harry Kane key admission on Ballon d’Or

“Winning the Ballon d’Or has always been one of my dreams. Obviously, when I was 15 or 16, I would never have expected to achieve everything I have achieved… But, as I said, regardless of the result, this is already something very special for me personally and for the teams I’ve played for,” Harry Kane said.

Kane also said that he is “a little bit nervous” because when a player gets ready for a key game or final, he knows he can make an impact. Here, “It’s a very different situation. I’m here with my friends and family, and I know they’re nervous. I’m just trying to enjoy myself here in London.”

Kane vs Mbappe stats

Key takeaways

• Kylian Mbappe stated Harry Kane winning the Ballon d’Or would be well deserved.
• An accidental viral leak placed Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe on the podium.
• Harry Kane recorded 76 goals and 84 goal contributions across 68 games.

Ronaldo, however, set an even more blistering pace. The Portuguese icon hit the century mark in just 105 appearances for Los Blancos, while the French superstar reached the milestone in 116 matches.

A closer look at Mbappe‘s first 100 goals shows how his output is distributed across competitions: 68 in La Liga, 23 in the UEFA Champions League, five across the Copa del Rey and Supercopa de España, and four between the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.

By comparison, Ronaldo’s first 100 Madrid goals came primarily in domestic league play: 76 in La Liga, 16 in the Champions League, seven in the Copa del Rey, and one in the Supercopa. The key divergence lies in the split between continental nights and domestic campaigns.

Cristiano vs. Mbappe: El Clasico scoring records

Across 30 El Clasico appearances in all competitions, Ronaldo found the net 18 times, equaling Alfredo Di Stefano and trailing only Lionel Messi on the all-time scoring list. What separated Ronaldo was not merely the volume, but the gravity of his goals: towering headers in Copa del Rey finals, trademark finishes during title-deciding visits to the Camp Nou, and a record six-match Clasico scoring streak that routinely silenced hostile away crowds.

Stepping into that colossal shadow, Mbappe has wasted little time stamping his authority on Spanish soccer’s biggest stage. With devastating straight-line speed and ruthless finishing in the penalty area, the French forward has claimed Madrid’s scoring mantle, consistently punishing Barcelona’s high back line and delivering the clinical edge required on hostile ground.

While Ronaldo compiled his resume across a decade of historic battles, Mbappe’s early impact in El Clasico proves that Real Madrid’s lineage of decisive, match-winning talismans remains firmly intact.

How many goals has Mbappe scored in his career?

As Ronaldo continues to chase the four-digit mark with Al Nassr, Mbappe has already racked up 448 career goals for club and country. His tally includes 27 for AS Monaco, a club-record 256 for Paris Saint-Germain, 98 for Real Madrid, and 67 for the French national team.

Key takeaways

• Kylian Mbappe reached 100 goals for Real Madrid in a 2-1 win over Barcelona.
• Cristiano Ronaldo needed 105 appearances to reach the century mark for Real Madrid.
• Mbappe achieved the milestone in 116 matches for Real Madrid.

Mbappe is not playing today for France vs Italy because he was ruled out after sustaining a knee injury against Turkiye on Matchday 1, moments after netting the game-winner. His absence leaves a glaring hole in the attack as France prepares to face an Italian side eager to build momentum.

Sitting atop Group A1, France can virtually clinch a spot in the knockout stage with a victory over Italy. However, the Azzurri will be looking to spoil the party in Paris, fresh off a dominant 4-1 statement win against Turkiye.

While other European powers face off-pitch distractions—such as Portugal navigating Cristiano Ronaldo’s early departure from camp—France boasts enough world-class depth to stay on course for another international trophy.

Confirmed lineup for France vs. Italy

With Mbappe sidelined and defender Ibrahima Konate also unavailable due to injury, manager Zinedine Zidane leans on rising stars Michael Olise and Rayan Cherki to power the attack. Here is how France could line up on Friday:

• Goalkeeper: Mike Maignan
• Defenders: Jules Kounde, Dayot Upamecano, Jeremy Jacquet, Adrien Truffert
• Midfielders: Rayan Cherki, Lucas Da Cunha, Adrien Rabiot
• Forwards: Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembele (C), Desire Doue

Even with an abundance of attacking talent ready to step up, a shorthanded French backline presents a vulnerability that Italy will certainly look to exploit. Despite that situation, France wants to secure the victory and the first place in the standings with those three points.

Key takeaways

• Kylian Mbappe sustained a knee injury against Turkiye on Matchday 1.
• France enters Friday’s UEFA Nations League match against Italy as a clear favorite.
• Italy enters the match following a 4-1 win against Turkiye.

Kylian Mbappe is missing France’s match against Belgium due to a hyperextension of the posterior capsule in his left knee. Unfortunately, he suffered the injury in the very shot he scored against Turkiye.

It is not a super heavy injury. Medical tests confirmed a left knee posterior capsule hyperextension, sidelining him for roughly 10 to 12 days, so he should be back promptly, but not enough to make him able to start for France in the upcoming games.

Who will replace Mbappe vs Belgium?

France head coach Zinedine Zidane has turned to depth options like Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele, and Michael Olise in attack, with Dembele stepping up to wear the captain’s armband.

The good thing for France is they do have a very deep pool of talent to choose from. However, Mbappe is still as elite as a striker can be. Mbappe already left the national team camp and returned to Real Madrid to undergo treatment.

The matchup is a must-win for both teams

France and Belgium both won in Matchday 1 of the UEFA Nations League. Mbappe guided Les Bleus towards an away win, while Belgium made a top-tier away statement beating Italy 0-2.

This means whoever wins today’s game is en route to first place of Group A of the UEFA Nations League. Hence, it will be an intense matchup that will define the group moving forward.

Key takeaways

• Kylian Mbappé will miss the Nations League match against Belgium due to a left knee injury.
• The forward sustained the hyperextension while scoring the winning goal against Turkiye.
• Mbappé has left the national camp and returned to Real Madrid for treatment.

Until his departure, Mbappe had served as France’s primary catalyst against a stubborn Turkish defense that had kept Les Bleus contained. His 54th-minute finish finally broke the deadlock in what had been a tightly contested, defensive battle.

Uncertainty now looms over the superstar forward, who left the pitch in visible discomfort. With three key international fixtures remaining in this window, France will hold its breath as medical staff evaluate the severity of Mbappe’s injury.

Meanwhile, Turkiye got off to a sluggish start in League A of the 2026–28 UEFA Nations League cycle. Though the hosts pushed aggressively in the second half, French goalkeeper Mike Maignan delivered a sensational performance between the posts to keep them at bay.

Mbappe extends his legacy in France

With his strike against Turkiye, Mbappe padded his ledger as Les Bleus’ all-time top scorer, bringing his total to 67 goals in 107 international appearances. The finish further cements his historic record atop the French national team’s scoring charts.

The goal also brought Mbappe to 10 career UEFA Nations League tallies, pulling him level with Swedish forward Viktor Gyokeres. However, he still trails Norway’s Erling Haaland, who leads the competition’s all-time charts with an astounding 21 goals in 17 matches.

While Mbappe continues to shine internationally, his workload remains a point of emphasis for Real Madrid. With Los Blancos sitting on 16 points through seven matches, Madrid will need their marquee superstar at full strength ahead of a grueling stretch across LaLiga and the UEFA Champions League.

Key takeaways

• Kylian Mbappe exited in the 58th minute following an apparent right leg injury.
• Goalkeeper Mike Maignan delivered a sensational performance to keep Turkiye at bay.
• France’s captain brought his record scoring total to 67 goals in 107 appearances.

However, for Yamal, he is the clear winner over Mbappe. In an interview with Universo Valdano, he was asked who he would give the Ballon d’Or to: “Who would I give it to? To the best player in the world. Who are they going to give it to? That is a very long conversation… I honestly believe that the two of us are the best in the world, and this year I would deserve it for what I have won.

“For me, Mbappe and I are the two best in the world. To me it is clear and everyone who watches the games knows it,” explained Yamal, placing himself and the Frenchman above other stars such as Messi, Harry Kane, Raphinha, Olise, and so on.

A two-man battle between Mbappe and Yamal?

Another major question is whether Lamine and Mbappe are the only candidates among the 30 finalists to lift the award—something hard to believe in what appears to be the most open race in recent years.

Rodri was named the best player of the World Cup; Fabian won absolutely everything while playing a decisive role; Harry Kane claimed the Golden Boot and reached the World Cup semifinals, and Kvaratskhelia was probably the best player of the year at the club level. There are numerous candidates and options in the most open Ballon d’Or of the century.

That is where Messi enters the fold, having delivered what many consider his best individual World Cup performance—even above Qatar 2022, where he emerged victorious—leading Argentina to the final before they lost to Yamal’s Spain. In a World Cup year, a player’s performance on that stage carries immense weight.

Yamal’s high expectations

In the preview of the interview on Universo Valdano, Lamine also discussed his personal drive and high self-expectations: “After winning the World Cup I was not happy. I did many things that people did not see.

“For a manager it is incredible to have a player who draws three opponents, but I was not happy with myself because another player with my performance would have had a great World Cup, but for me, I could have done more. I did help the team, but I really want the next one to arrive,” he stated.

The opening goal for Real Madrid stemmed from a defensive error by the visitors. Yann Bisseck lost possession on the way out; Brahim Diaz, who started in place of Bernardo Silva and Arda Guler, provided a one-touch assist, and Mbappe beat Alessandro Bastoni in a one-on-one to open the scoring.

With his goal against Inter, Mbappe reached 71 Champions League goals, tying fellow Real Madrid icon Raul Gonzalez for fifth on the all-time list. Notably, Mbappe achieved the mark in 99 matches compared to Raul’s 142.

69 goals behind Cristiano Ronaldo

Four historic names still stand ahead of him: Karim Benzema, Robert Lewandowski, Lionel Messi, and all-time leader Cristiano Ronaldo, who sits at 140 goals. A 69-goal gap still separates Mbappe from Ronaldo, leaving a long road ahead.

Here is how the top UEFA Champions League goalscorers stand following the Frenchman’s strike:

• 140: Cristiano Ronaldo (POR, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus)
• 129: Lionel Messi (ARG, Barcelona, PSG)
• 109: Robert Lewandowski (POL, Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, Barcelona)
• 90: Karim Benzema (FRA, Lyon, Real Madrid)
• 71: Raul Gonzalez (ESP, Real Madrid, Schalke)
• 71: Kylian Mbappe (FRA, Monaco, PSG, Real Madrid)

Mbappe standing out as the star

Despite a period of uncertainty for Real Madrid last season, Mbappe continued to excel and demonstrate why he is among the top players on the planet, even finishing as the top scorer. Before kick-off, Mbappe received his award from Luis Figo for finishing as last season’s tournament top scorer with 15 goals.

In Jose Mourinho’s return, Mbappe will continue to play a central role, with the Champions League serving as the ideal stage. Inter shot themselves in the foot again before the half-hour mark, with Martinez attempting a Cruyff turn in his own box, only for Federico Valverde to poke the ball away from him and into the net. Real Madrid ended up winning the game 2-1.

The list comes from The New York Times and writer Liam Twomey, who rolled out various rankings throughout the World Cup. Messi held onto the top spot from the semifinals onward, with Twomey calling him one of the most individually impactful players in the entire tournament.

Mbappé surprisingly takes second place despite France missing the final and dropping the third-place match to Bellingham’s England, who claimed fourth in the Times rankings.

The top 10 World Cup players by The New York Times

Messi is the lone Argentine to make the top 10 in Twomey’s 50-player list. Spain and France dominate the upper tier, combining for six of the top 10 spots. It proves that even on a roster without heavy top-end representation, Messi still stands completely in a league of his own.

1. Lionel Messi
2. Kylian Mbappé
3. Rodri
4. Jude Bellingham
5. Pau Cubarsí
6. Aymeric Laporte
7. Erling Haaland
8. Harry Kane
9. Michael Olise
10. Ousmane Dembélé

Players didn’t make the list on goal-scoring alone; overall contribution mattered just as much. Olise, for instance, earned his spot after dishing out seven assists during the tournament. And as Twomey noted, even though players like Dembélé had inexplicable off-games, like his poor performance against Spain, their complete body of work was enough to keep them among the elite.

Spain’s presence in the top tier is particularly impressive. They landed three players in the top 10, including Laporte, who was outstanding in defense, and Cubarsí, who ranked surprisingly high. Meanwhile, Rodri remained a mainstay near the top throughout the tournament thanks to his consistently dominant play.

Why do rankings like this matter to a player’s career?

Much like the FIFA Power Rankings released after the final, lists from prestigious outlets like The New York Times carry real weight. They keep a player’s profile high, maintain momentum in their career, and put them squarely on the radar of top clubs looking to offer lucrative new deals.

FIFA takes these rankings seriously. Up first are the attacking stats, where Mbappé posted a 9.12 rating and snagged the Golden Boot, even without playing in the World Cup Final. Messi finished third in those standings, trailing Jude Bellingham.

Creativity is another key category in the rankings. Olise grabbed top honors with an 8.29 rating, edging out Messi’s 8.26. The top 10 is dominated by French, Spanish, and English players, alongside Jeremy Doku and Mexico‘s Roberto Alvarado sitting at number 10.

The post-world cup FIFA power rankings

Messi’s overall position isn’t bad for a veteran nearing retirement. Players like Bellingham surpassed him in attacking thanks to strong tournament runs; England playing in the third-place match gave Bellingham an extra game to pad his numbers.

What pushed Olise to the top spot in creativity was his assist total, helping propel France through the bracket. He racked up seven assists during the World Cup, placing him ahead of both Messi and Mbappe.

Rodri also deserves a nod. He isn’t a flashy attacker like Messi or Mbappe, but he was vital to Spain’s backline alongside four of his teammates. He leads the defensive rankings with an 8.23 rating, with Pau Cubarsi, Pedro Porro, and Aymeric Laporte joining him in the top four.

While fans use post-World Cup FIFA power rankings for debate, the industry views them as a data-driven snapshot of tournament performance. Beyond individual prestige, a standout placement in these rankings can directly influence a player’s transfer value, contract negotiations, and career trajectory.

“Tomorrow, Messi is going to score a goal for sure. Messi always scores,” Mbappe commented with total confidence after the match. Mbappe remains certain that Messi will catch him in the all-time World Cup scoring record, sending this message for him to score against Spain.

Messi sits just one goal away from catching Mbappe and at least sharing the first place of top scorers for the next four years. Nevertheless, for Mbappe, the most important thing was to play in the final rather than hold the goal record. “I would like to not be the top scorer and play tomorrow’s match,” Mbappe added, knowing that, for the first time in his career, he will not play in the World Cup final.

A bitter-sweet finish

Mbappe departs the World Cup with a new brace, his seventh multi-goal game in World Cups, but it serves for nothing after receiving six goals from the English side, an outcome that ultimately relegates them to fourth place in the tournament—marking the worst statistical team finish in Mbappe’s career.

With 10 goals in this tournament with France, he surpasses Lionel Messi as the top scorer in World Cup history, reaching 22 total goals (one more than the Argentine). The Real Madrid forward scored in the 48th minute of the third-place match with a cross-shot, and added his second in the 66th minute, both thanks to assists from Michael Olise.

Mbappe was one of four French players who repeated as a starter after playing the semifinal match against Spain, aiming to surpass Messi, who has eight goals but had delivered one more assist than the Frenchman in the race for the Golden Boot.

Messi and a mission

Argentina face Spain in their second consecutive final on July 19, where Lionel Messi has the mission—though now without a heavy burden on his hands—to become back-to-back world champions. Along the way, he will fight and try to secure the Golden Boot to close out a legendary participation in the World Cup in a great way.