Mbappe dropped by Chinese brands for ‘offending national sentiments’

The announcements came after a video emerged online with Mbappe saying that the funniest internet meme he had seen was of his face photo-shopped onto that of “some guy — I think he’s a Chinese dictator”.

He allegedly said his "favourite meme" is "the one where they put my face on a Chinese dictator". Image source, Getty Images Image caption, A backlash has erupted on Chinese social media over Mbappé's comments on a "Chinese dictator" By Kelly Ng Published 38 minutes ago Several Chinese brands have dropped French footballer Kylian Mbappé as backlash grew online over alleged comments by him referring to the late Chinese leader Mao Zedong.

French football star Kylian Mbappe was dropped by two major Chinese brands on Tuesday after a video circulated online in which he appeared to joke about former leader Mao Zedong. Energy drink giant Dongpeng and dairy producer Mengniu said they had terminated their partnerships, citing remarks that offended Chinese national sentiment.

Mbappé reportedly told French talk show The Bridge a meme "that makes me laugh the most…the one where there's a video of a guy, I think it's a Chinese dictator". As he speaks, a meme appears with his face superimposed on an image resembling Mao.

Issued on: 27/10/2026 – 04:54 1 min Reading time Share By: Kylian Mbappe scored twice as Real Madrid beat Barcelona 2-1 in the Clasico © Josep Lago, AFP Kylian Mbappe was dropped Tuesday by two major brands in China after a video circulated online in which the French football star apparently joked about former leader Mao Zedong. "Our company firmly opposes and has a zero-tolerance policy towards any behaviour that offends national sentiments," drinks giant Dongpeng said in a statement, adding that "with immediate effect we are terminating all cooperation with Kylian Mbappe".

"I use it with my friends all the time," the Real Madrid forward adds, in unverified clips that have been circulating online. Mbappé does not identify Mao by name and the original video is no longer on the show's YouTube channel, but screengrabs have spread on Chinese social media.

Mengniu, China's largest dairy producer, also cut ties with the Real Madrid and France forward. "With immediate effect our company is terminating all cooperation with Kylian Mbappe," Mengniu said in a statement.

Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Mbappé has a significant commercial presence in China Even China's foreign ministry has weighed in, with spokesperso Lin Jian: "We have noted the relevant reports. Words and deeds that hurt the feelings of the Chinese people will naturally be met with opposition from all sectors of Chinese society." Neither Mbappé nor the The Bridge have commented on this yet.

"Mengniu firmly opposes and has a zero-tolerance policy towards any words or actions that hurt the feelings of the Chinese people," it added. This was an apparent reference to a meme of Mbappe superimposed on an image of Mao, one of several using the footballer's face and other historical figures.

It's unclear when the interview was broadcast but Chinese football forum Dongqiudi drew attention to the comments on Monday night in a statement, saying they were "inappropriate" and "hurt the feelings of Chinese people". A backlash quickly ensued online, with some users criticising Mbappé – who is very popular in China and has huge brand endorsements – of "profiting from the Chinese market yet making remarks that offend the Chinese public".

The authenticity of the video could not immediately be verified by AFP Fact Check. "Dongpeng Beverage ends cooperation with Mbappe" was the top-trending topic on Chinese social media site Weibo.

"International public figures, in particular, should show greater respect and sensitivity, as national sentiment must never be taken lightly," read another comment on Weibo. Mao founded Communist China in 1949 and ruled through tumultuous decades in the 1960s and 1970s.

The 27-year-old Mbappe lost out to Harry Kane for the Ballon d'Or on Monday. ( with AFP) Advertising Keywords for this article China Kylian Mbappé.

His attempt at rapid industrialisation, which he called the Great Leap Forward, led to a famine that killed tens of millions. Then came the Cultural Revolution: a violent purge of anyone seen as a threat to Communism, which included Chinese intellectuals, landowners, artists and often rivals within the Party.

His death in 1976 brought a new era for China, which began to open its doors to the global economy. Even as the country moved away from Mao's rule, he continued to be hailed by the Chinese Communist Party as a national icon whose legacy was beyond reproach.

The backlash against Mbappé is still growing. Chinese state broadcaster, CCTV, is suspending La Liga matches, according to The Paper.

According to state-owned newspaper The Global Times, CCTV's news apps no longer have content related to the French striker. The Chinese brands have not explicitly said why they were terminating the contract but referred to hurt sentiments.

Drinks giant Dongpeng, said: "Our company firmly opposes and has a zero-tolerance policy towards any behaviour that offends national sentiments." Given brands have not mentioned the controversial clip, some users on social media are also asking what exactly Mbappé had said or done that was offensive. Mbappé, who made his debut for Real Madrid in August 2024, has been nicknamed "the dictator" in the football world because of his influence and control over club and international football operations.