Mbappe faces backlash in China over Mao remark, loses three brand deals

Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe has lost three Chinese brand partnerships after a viral video sparked outrage over a remark about Mao Zedong.Bottles of Dongpeng Bushuila electrolyte beverages featuring Kylian Mbappe's photo (Getty Images)New Delhi,Oct 27, 2026 14:36 ISTFrench football star Kylian Mbappe has suffered a commercial setback after three Chinese companies ended their partnerships with him following a viral video in which he appeared to refer to former Chinese leader Mao Zedong as a dictator.Energy drink manufacturer Dongpeng Beverage, dairy giant Mengniu and cheese producer Milkground announced on Tuesday that they were terminating their associations with the Real Madrid forward. The decisions came after the video triggered widespread criticism on Chinese social media, with users accusing the France captain of disrespecting the country's national sentiments.Dongpeng announced an immediate end to its partnership with Mbappe, saying it had a zero-tolerance policy towards behaviour that offended national sentiments. Mengniu issued a similar statement, saying it opposed words or actions that hurt the feelings of the Chinese people. Milkground also announced that it was ending its collaboration with the footballer.WHAT LED TO MBAPPE BACKLASH IN CHINA?The controversy centres on a video in which Mbappe discussed internet memes featuring his face superimposed on images of historical figures. Asked about his favourite meme, he reportedly described one featuring 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 had not been independently verified. Nevertheless, the clip sparked a backlash online, with the topic of Dongpeng ending its association with Mbappe trending on Chinese social media platform Weibo. Some users demanded that the brands remove the Frenchman's image from their products.The reaction reflects the sensitivity surrounding Mao's legacy in China, where public criticism or jokes about the former leader can provoke strong responses. Getty Images Mbappe, 27, had been a popular figure among Chinese football fans, with his commercial appeal extending beyond the pitch. The controversy has also revived scrutiny of the memes depicting the forward 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 developments underline the commercial risks international sports stars face when remarks are perceived to offend sentiments in major markets. For Mbappe, the loss of the Chinese partnerships comes at a time when he remains one of football's most recognisable global figures.The sponsorship fallout also follows a significant 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 honour, adding a second-place finish to a week now overshadowed by the controversy in China.- Ends