Chinese brands end partnerships with Mbappé over comments on Mao
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Oct 27, 2026, 7:15 AM
Last updated Oct 27, 2026
Chinese brands have terminated their contracts with Kylian Mbappé due to backlash over his comments about Mao Zedong. The Real Madrid forward reportedly referred to a meme featuring his face overlaid on an image resembling Mao during a recent talk show. This led to widespread criticism on Chinese social media, with users expressing their displeasure at his remarks., China's foreign ministry commented on the situation, stressing that such words will be met with opposition. The backlash continues to escalate, with reports indicating that Chinese state broadcaster CCTV is suspending La Liga matches and removing content related to Mbappé's endorsements.
- •Kylian Mbappé made controversial comments about Chinese dictator Mao Zedong.
- •Several Chinese brands have ended partnerships with Mbappé in response.
- •Criticism of Mbappé quickly spread across Chinese social media platforms.
- •China's foreign ministry asserted that such remarks would face opposition.
- •CCTV is reportedly suspending La Liga matches over the controversy.
- 7:27 AMYahoo Sports — Chinese brands cut ties with French soccer star Mbappé over ‘Chinese dictator’ remark
- 7:15 AMYahoo Sports — Major Chinese brands drop Mbappé as backlash grows over Mao joke
"BEIJING (AP) — French soccer star Kylian Mbappé's face appears in ads across China, from subway stations to elevators, but now at least three companies are cutting ties with the national team captain after he made some comments apparently referring to Mao Zedong, the founding leader of Communist China, as a dictator.Beverage maker Dongpeng, dairy giant Mengniu and cheese maker Milkground announced Tuesday in similarly worded statements that they were ending agreements with the soccer star, each
"He allegedly said his "favourite meme" is "the one where they put my face on a Chinese dictator".
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsOct 27, 2026, 7:27 AMChinese brands cut ties with French soccer star Mbappé over ‘Chinese dictator’ remark
BEIJING (AP) — French soccer star Kylian Mbappé's face appears in ads across China, from subway stations to elevators, but now at least three companies are cutting ties with the national team captain after he made some comments apparently referring to Mao Zedong, the founding leader of Communist China, as a dictator.Beverage maker Dongpeng, dairy giant Mengniu and cheese maker Milkground announced Tuesday in similarly worded statements that they were ending agreements with the soccer star, each
- Yahoo SportsOct 27, 2026, 7:15 AMMajor Chinese brands drop Mbappé as backlash grows over Mao joke
He allegedly said his "favourite meme" is "the one where they put my face on a Chinese dictator".
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