Mbappé loses Chinese sponsors after Mao meme backlash
Chinese brands Mengniu and Dongpeng have ended their partnerships with Kylian Mbappé following a backlash over an unverified video involving a Mao Zedong meme, with reports suggesting the dispute could also affect LaLiga’s television exposure.
Kylian Mbappé has lost endorsement agreements with two major Chinese consumer brands after a video circulated appearing to show him discussing a meme linking his image to former Chinese leader Mao Zedong.Dairy producer Mengniu and drinks company Dongpeng announced the immediate termination of their partnerships with the Real Madrid forward, creating a commercial fallout from footage whose authenticity has not been independently established.Mengniu said: “With immediate effect our company is terminating all cooperation with Kylian Mbappé.“Mengniu firmly opposes and has a zero-tolerance policy towards any words or actions that hurt the feelings of the Chinese people.”Dongpeng issued a similar response, stating: “Our company firmly opposes and has a zero-tolerance policy towards any behaviour that offends national sentiments.”It confirmed that its cooperation with Mbappé would end immediately, following an advertising relationship that included prominent promotion of its sports drinks during the World Cup.The circulating footage appears to come from ‘The Bridge’, the programme hosted by Mbappé’s Real Madrid teammate Aurélien Tchouaméni.In the clip, Mbappé discusses a favourite internet meme and refers to a figure as a Chinese dictator, while an image resembling Mao appears with the player’s face superimposed.Mbappé does not identify Mao by name in the circulating excerpts while the original video is unavailable on the programme’s YouTube channel, and the date of the interview remains unclear.The controversy gathered momentum after Chinese football platform Dongqiudi condemned the remarks, followed by widespread criticism and boycott calls on social media.China’s foreign ministry also addressed the issue and spokesperson Lin Jian said: “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.”The potential consequences extend beyond Mbappé’s individual sponsorship portfolio, with Chinese media reporting that state broadcaster CCTV would stop showing LaLiga matches.That reported broadcasting response has not been independently confirmed in the supplied material, and the extent or duration of any suspension remains unclear.The episode places his substantial Chinese commercial presence under pressure, while the speed of the sponsors’ decisions demonstrates how controversy involving an individual player can spread to brands and potentially competition distribution.Mbappé had previously expressed discomfort with memes comparing him to authoritarian leaders, distinguishing light-hearted jokes from references to historical violence.He said: “There’s a side that’s a bit less funny, because we know the damage people like that have caused throughout history.“Being compared to people who murder others, or who have made millions upon millions of people miserable... I don’t think I’ve done that in my life.”The confirmed commercial action remains the termination of the Mengniu and Dongpeng agreements, with the reported implications for LaLiga coverage awaiting clarification.