Kylian Mbappé Loses Chinese Sponsorships After Comments Regarding Mao Zedong
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French soccer star Kylian Mbappé has lost multiple Chinese sponsorship deals after an interview clip surfaced in which he referenced a meme depicting him as a dictator alongside images of Mao Zedong.
According to NBC News World, Kylian Mbappé is facing a widespread commercial boycott in China after comments surfaced from an interview with the French talk show "The Bridge" in which the soccer star discussed online memes that portray him as a dictator. In the clip, Mbappé acknowledged a meme featuring his face superimposed on an image of Mao Zedong, the founding leader of the People's Republic of China. Mbappé described the subject of the meme as a "Chinese dictator," an action that triggered significant backlash within the country.
On Tuesday, multiple Chinese companies announced they were terminating their partnerships with the French captain. According to the reporting by NBC News, major brands including Dongpeng Beverage, Inner Mongolia Mengniu Dairy, and Milkground issued statements confirming the end of their ties with the athlete. Additionally, the social media platform Xiaohongshu suspended Mbappé’s account, which held more than a million followers, citing violations of community guidelines.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun addressed the controversy during a briefing in Beijing on Tuesday, stating that actions perceived as hurting the feelings of the Chinese people would be met with a collective boycott. State-backed media outlet Global Times reported that broadcasts involving Mbappé, including matches from the Spanish league La Liga where he plays for Real Madrid, have also been suspended in China.
La Liga President Javier Tebas issued an apology to Chinese audiences, stating that the league deeply regrets the comments and is working to maintain its relationship with the country. Mbappé subsequently posted an apology on social media, describing his comments as "ill-judged" and clarifying that he did not intend to cause offense. "I have deep respect for the Chinese people and their history, and I am sincerely sorry," he wrote.
Mark Dreyer, an author specializing in China's sports industry, noted that the incident underscores the growing commercial risks for global celebrities operating in the Chinese market. This event marks the latest instance of foreign public figures facing economic consequences in China due to political sensitivities, joining a history of similar disputes involving the NBA.
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