Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappé has lost at least three major Chinese sponsorship deals after a video surfaced in which he appeared to joke about a meme depicting him as former Chinese leader Mao Zedong.
The controversy erupted after footage circulated online showing the French football star discussing his favorite internet memes. During the exchange before an interview on The Bridge, Mbappé appeared to describe Mao Zedong as a “Chinese dictator,” sparking widespread criticism on Chinese social media.
By Tuesday, October 27, 2026, major Chinese companies had begun terminating their partnerships with the 27-year-old footballer.
According to Reuters, the backlash has extended beyond sponsorships, with Chinese state television reportedly suspending broadcasts involving La Liga and Mbappé.
What Did Kylian Mbappé Say About Mao Zedong?
The controversy centers on a video apparently recorded in connection with the French online talk show The Bridge.
In the circulating footage, Mbappé is asked about his favorite internet meme featuring himself.
He describes a meme showing his face edited onto the body of a man he believes was a Chinese dictator. The footage then displays an image resembling Mao Zedong, the founding leader of the People’s Republic of China.
Mbappé reportedly explained that he and his friends frequently share the meme while gaming.
Although Mbappé never explicitly identifies Mao by name, the image shown during the exchange appears to reference the former Chinese leader.
The video quickly spread across social media, attracting criticism from Chinese football fans and commentators.
Both Reuters and AFP reported that they had not independently authenticated the circulating footage.
Watch the interview clip below, the interaction in question takes place 22 seconds in, and is translated below:
Mbappé’s Comments Translated into English
When asked which internet meme featuring himself was his favorite, Mbappé responded:
“The one that made me laugh the hardest was a video of some guy, I think it was a Chinese dictator, that someone had edited… I use it a lot with my friends online when we’re playing on the PlayStation. It’s just wild!”
Translated from French into English.
Which Chinese Companies Dropped Mbappé?
At least three major Chinese companies have announced the termination of their partnerships with Mbappé following the controversy.
According to the Associated Press, the companies include:
- Dongpeng Beverage (Eastroc): The Chinese beverage manufacturer had prominently featured Mbappé in advertising campaigns, including promotional materials for its electrolyte drinks.
- Mengniu Dairy: One of China’s largest dairy producers, which previously featured Mbappé in advertising alongside fellow football superstar Lionel Messi.
- Milkground: A Chinese dairy and cheese producer that also announced it was ending its cooperation with the player.
The companies issued statements expressing opposition to behavior they considered offensive to Chinese national sentiment.
Dongpeng announced that it was terminating all cooperation with Mbappé immediately, citing its zero-tolerance policy toward behavior that offends national sentiment.
Mengniu issued a similar statement, declaring its opposition to words or actions that hurt the feelings of the Chinese people.
The companies did not explicitly identify the viral interview as the reason for their decisions, although their announcements followed the controversy.
Mbappé has maintained a substantial commercial presence in China, with his image appearing in advertisements across subway stations, elevators, and consumer products.
The sudden termination of these agreements represents a significant setback for his commercial partnerships in the Chinese market.
Chinese Television Reportedly Suspends La Liga Broadcasts
The fallout has reportedly extended beyond commercial sponsorships.
According to Reuters, citing Chinese state-backed news outlet The Paper, Chinese state television halted broadcasts of matches and events involving La Liga and Mbappé.
Advertisements featuring the footballer were also reportedly removed.
Meanwhile, the controversy became a major topic on Weibo, one of China’s largest social media platforms.
Hashtags discussing Dongpeng’s decision to end its partnership with Mbappé quickly climbed the platform’s trending rankings.
The controversy also attracted attention from China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
A ministry spokesperson said that words and actions that hurt the feelings of the Chinese people would face opposition from across Chinese society.
Why Is the Mao Zedong Meme So Controversial?
Mao Zedong remains one of the most significant and politically sensitive figures in modern Chinese history.
As the founding leader of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, Mao played a central role in establishing the country’s communist government.
Although his leadership is associated with major historical events, including the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution, Mao continues to be officially celebrated as a foundational figure in modern China.
His legacy remains controversial internationally, particularly because of the widespread suffering and deaths associated with policies implemented during his rule.
Within China, however, jokes portraying Mao as a dictator can provoke strong political and nationalist reactions.
Mbappé’s comments appear to have crossed that cultural and political boundary.
The footballer has previously been the subject of memes depicting him as authoritarian leaders, a running joke among football fans referencing his perceived influence over the teams he represents.
Interestingly, Mbappé has previously expressed reservations about these comparisons.
In a September interview with French sports newspaper L’Équipe, he acknowledged that some memes were intended as harmless jokes but suggested that comparisons with historical dictators could demonstrate a lack of political and human awareness.
That earlier position has attracted renewed attention following the latest controversy.
What Happens Next for Mbappé?
As of October 27, 2026, Mbappé’s representatives have not publicly responded to the controversy.
Real Madrid and La Liga also had not immediately responded to requests for comment, according to Reuters.
The full financial impact of the terminated sponsorship agreements remains unclear, as the companies have not publicly disclosed the value of their contracts with Mbappé.
However, the controversy has already resulted in the loss of several commercial partnerships and reportedly affected television coverage of Spanish football in China.
Whether Mbappé addresses the controversy publicly remains to be seen.
For now, a brief discussion about an internet meme has developed into a major international controversy involving one of football’s most recognizable stars.
Published October 27, 2026.
Sources: Reuters | Associated Press | Agence France-Presse