Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé lost multiple major commercial partnerships in China on Tuesday after acknowledging in a recent interview that he laughs at internet memes comparing his face to that of former Chinese leader Mao Zedong, Mundo Deportivo reported.
Corporate Sponsorships Severed Over National Sentiment Concerns
Dongpeng Beverage Group, along with dairy companies Mengniu and Milkground, announced the immediate termination of their commercial agreements with Mbappé on Tuesday. Dongpeng issued official statements via its corporate account and its Bu Shui La brand profile on the Chinese social media platform Weibo, citing a policy of zero tolerance for behaviors that wound national sentiment.
The beverage maker’s advertisements, featuring Mbappé promoting Bu Shui La drinks, had appeared frequently across bus shelters, elevators, and street kiosks in major Chinese cities, particularly during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Alongside Dongpeng, Mengniu—a major international sports sponsor with ties to FIFA and the International Olympic Committee—and Milkground both confirmed the immediate end of their respective marketing campaigns utilizing the French international’s image.
State Media Suspends Broadcasts and Online Portals Erase References
The backlash extended beyond commercial endorsements into state-backed broadcasting and digital sports media. According to local outlet The Paper, state broadcaster CCTV suspended live television broadcasts of La Liga matches and any programming featuring Mbappé starting Monday night, while also ordering the removal of all promotional videos starring the player, as reported by Marca and Diario AS.
Digital platforms also moved quickly to distance themselves from the player. The social media and e-commerce application Xiaohongshu, known internationally as RedNote, clarified that its promotional contract with Mbappé expired on December 31, 2024, and announced it was actively scrubbing related content. Meanwhile, the Chinese sports portal Dongqiudi took the extraordinary step of removing Mbappé’s name from the 2026 Ballon d’Or standings where he finished second, replacing his identity with the phrase “no exists such person,” according to Diario AS.
Internet Memes and Strict Legal Precedents in China
The controversy stems from an interview clip in which Mbappé discussed his favorite digital memes. With the one I’ve laughed at the most, it’s that one where they use my face on a Chinese dictator,
the player stated during the interview, adding that he frequently uses the image with friends online without naming a specific historical figure. In mainland China, online satire targeting former Communist Party leaders is legally classified as the defamation of heroes and martyrs.
The rupture follows a string of recent cultural and geopolitical friction points involving Spanish football clubs in China. In September, state media criticized Real Madrid over a social media post that grouped Nepal and the Tibet autonomous region together following a flood. In April, FC Barcelona issued a formal apology after an unofficial third-party academy page displayed the flag of Taiwan. Earlier in February, Real Madrid published an apology on Weibo attributed to defender Dean Huijsen after he reposted content on Instagram that local users characterized as racially offensive toward Asian citizens.
Unresolved Questions Regarding Future Broadcasts and Relations
While Dongpeng, Mengniu, and Milkground confirmed the termination of their commercial ties on Tuesday, official representatives for Real Madrid and La Liga had not issued detailed statements regarding the broader suspension of league broadcasts across state television networks as of Tuesday evening. La televisión estatal china CCTV suspendió las retransmisiones de la Liga española de fútbol tras la polémica con Kylian Mbappé.
