Kylian Mbappé Loses Major Chinese Sponsors Over Mao Zedong Meme Controversy
France national team captain and Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé lost two major Chinese corporate sponsors immediately following remarks about a social media meme referencing former Chinese leader Mao Zedong, according to reports from Stern.
Corporate Fallout in Shenzhen and Inner Mongolia
The Shenzhen-based sports drink manufacturer Dongpeng and Inner Mongolia-based dairy producer Mengniu both severed commercial ties with the 27-year-old forward without hesitation. Dongpeng featured Mbappé’s face directly on its beverage bottle labels prior to the cancellation. In formal statements released to the public, Dongpeng stated that the company maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward any behavior that offends national sentiment, while Mengniu similarly announced the immediate termination of all business relationships due to actions violating the feelings of the Chinese populace.
🚨 Kylian Mbappé: "My favorite Mbappé meme?The one where they put my face on a Chinese dictator (Mao Zedong).That really makes me laugh, I use it with my friends all the time." pic.twitter.com/oKmH8xksLy
Mbappé Mentions Mao Zedong Meme in Podcast
The controversy ignited after online circulation of a podcast interview in which Mbappé discussed his favorite meme featuring his own likeness. The French player stated that the funniest meme he had ever seen involved his face digitally superimposed via Photoshop onto the body of a Chinese dictator. Online users quickly identified the original imagery as a satirical alteration of portraits depicting Mao Zedong, who founded the People’s Republic of China in 1949 and remains a deeply revered historical figure in the country. Public discussion surged immediately across Chinese social platforms, with the termination of the Dongpeng partnership climbing to a top trending topic on Weibo.
Chinese Media Frames Remarks as Violating National Dignity
While Western and European outlets detailed the specific podcast remarks regarding the Photoshop montage, Chinese sports media outlets such as Dongqiudi declined to translate Mbappé’s exact phrasing, issuing statements that the remarks themselves violated the dignity of China and its people. Social media analyst Manya Koetse noted on X that internet users attempted to contextualize the sensitivity of the imagery by pointing to the portrait of Mao Zedong printed on official Chinese bank notes. Unlike European coverage detailing the specific comedic reference, domestic coverage focused entirely on the punitive corporate actions and the absolute protection of national sentiment surrounding the late revolutionary leader.
More on Mao Zedong
French football star Kylian Mbappé is facing a growing backlash in China over alleged remarks about former Chinese leader Mao Zedong.Unverified clips circulating online reportedly show the Real Madrid forward discussing a meme featuring an image resembling Mao, saying he uses… pic.twitter.com/TOgZYcMk8d
🚨 NEW: Chinese brands drop Kylian Mbappé over Chairman Mao meme.• On the French talk show The Bridge, Mbappé said the meme “makes me laugh the most” and that he uses it with friends, while an image resembling Mao Zedong appeared on screen.• China’s foreign ministry said… pic.twitter.com/zkhwTgfUjP
