Mbappé Dropped by Chinese Brands After Mao Zedong Meme Sparks Online Backlash

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French football star Kylian Mbappé has lost several commercial partnerships in China following an online backlash over alleged comments about a meme depicting him as former Chinese leader Mao Zedong. The controversy has also prompted reports that Chinese state broadcaster CCTV has suspended broadcasts of Spanish La Liga matches.

The dispute began after a clip from French online programme The Bridge circulated on social media. Mbappé reportedly described a meme that made him laugh, referring to its subject as a “Chinese dictator”, while an image showed his face superimposed on a figure resembling Mao. Mbappé did not name Mao directly, and the original video was removed from the programme’s YouTube channel. The clip’s authenticity has not been independently verified, making caution necessary when interpreting the remarks.

The backlash intensified on October 27, when Chinese beverage company Dongpeng and dairy producer Mengniu announced the end of their partnerships with Mbappé. Both companies cited opposition to words or actions that hurt the feelings of the Chinese people, although neither explicitly referenced the controversial clip. Cheese producer Milkground also reportedly ended its collaboration with the footballer.

China’s foreign ministry weighed in on the controversy, saying remarks that hurt the feelings of Chinese people would naturally face opposition. Meanwhile, reports indicated that CCTV had suspended La Liga broadcasts and that Chinese media platforms were restricting content featuring Mbappé. The developments could affect the Real Madrid forward’s commercial presence in China, where he has attracted major sponsorships and a substantial fan base.

The controversy touches on Mao’s sensitive place in Chinese history. Mao founded the People’s Republic of China in 1949 and led the country through campaigns including the Great Leap Forward, which contributed to a famine that killed tens of millions, and the Cultural Revolution, marked by widespread persecution and political violence. Despite this history, Mao remains a prominent national figure in China.

Mbappé had previously criticised comparisons between himself and dictators. In a September 2026 interview with France Football, he acknowledged the humour behind some internet memes but argued that comparing people with historical figures responsible for mass suffering could demonstrate a lack of political and human awareness.

Neither Mbappé nor The Bridge had publicly commented on the latest controversy in the reports available. The incident highlights how online jokes involving politically sensitive figures can trigger major reputational and commercial consequences, particularly in markets where national history carries significant public importance.