Mbappe has faced backlash in China over Mao’s remark, losing three deals with the brand
French soccer star Kylian Mbappe has suffered a commercial setback after three Chinese companies ended their partnership with him following a viral video in which he appeared to refer to former Chinese leader Mao Zedong as a dictator.
Energy drink maker Dongpeng Beverage, dairy giant Mengniu and cheese maker Milkground announced on Tuesday that they were ending their links with the Real Madrid forward. The decisions came after the video sparked widespread criticism on Chinese social media, with users accusing the France captain of disrespecting national sentiment in the country.
Dongpeng announced an immediate end to his partnership with Mbappe, saying he has a zero-tolerance policy for behavior that offends national sentiments. Mengniu issued a similar statement, saying he was against words or actions that hurt the feelings of the Chinese people. Milkground also announced that they are ending their collaboration with the footballer.
WHAT CAUSED MBAPPE TO TURN ON IN CHINA?
The controversy centers on a video in which Mbappe discussed internet memes with his face superimposed on images of historical figures. When asked about his favorite meme, he reportedly described one with his face on the body of “some guy – I think he’s a Chinese dictator”. The remark appeared to refer to Mao, the founding leader of the People’s Republic of China, who died in 1976.
The authenticity of the video has not been independently verified. However, the clip sparked online backlash as the topic of Dongpeng ending his association with Mbappe trended on Chinese social media platform Weibo. Some users demanded that brands remove the Frenchman’s image from their products.
The reaction reflects the sensitivity of Mao’s legacy in China, where public criticism or jokes directed at the former leader can provoke strong reactions. Getty Images
Mbappe, 27, was a popular figure among Chinese football fans and his commercial appeal extended beyond the pitch. The controversy also revived scrutiny of memes depicting the attackers as authoritarian leaders. In an interview with France Football in September, Mbappe acknowledged that some of the memes were intended as jokes, but expressed discomfort with comparisons to historical figures associated with mass suffering.
The latest development highlights the commercial risks international sports stars face when the remarks are seen as offending sentiment in major markets. For Mbappe, the loss of the Chinese partnerships comes at a time when he remains one of the world’s most respected figures in football.
The sponsorship row also follows a big night at the Ballon d’Or ceremony in London on Monday. Mbappe finished second in the men’s voting behind England captain Harry Kane, who became the first Englishman in 25 years to win the award. Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal finished third.
Kane’s victory followed a prolific 2025-26 campaign in which he scored 73 goals for club and country, helping Bayern Munich retain the Bundesliga title as part of a domestic treble.
Mbappe, meanwhile, missed out on the sport’s most prestigious individual honor, adding a second to a week now overshadowed by controversy in China.
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