Kylian Mbappé is facing mounting criticism in China after comments about a viral internet meme involving former Chinese leader Mao Zedong sparked controversy. The incident has prompted several sponsors to end their partnerships with the Real Madrid forward, while football broadcasts featuring him have also been affected.
China’s state broadcaster CCTV has warned that Mbappé’s apology will be judged not only by his words but also by his future conduct. On 27 October, a representative of China Media Group said the player, Real Madrid and La Liga should reflect on the controversy and take steps to address the concerns it had raised.
The broadcaster had previously suspended La Liga coverage and matches involving Mbappé, while advertisements featuring the French international were also withdrawn. His accounts on Chinese social media platforms Xiaohongshu and Weibo were reportedly restricted. As of 28 October, it remained unclear whether the broadcast suspensions and account restrictions would be lifted.
How the controversy began
The backlash followed the circulation of a clip from the French programme The Bridge. In the video, Mbappé reportedly discussed a meme that superimposed his face onto an image of Mao Zedong, the founding leader of the People’s Republic of China.
According to Reuters’ account of the clip, Mbappé described the person in the meme as a Chinese dictator. Reuters said it had been unable to independently authenticate the video.
The footballer subsequently issued an apology in Chinese, French and English through a statement on X on 27 October. He acknowledged that his remarks had been poorly judged and had hurt people in Chinese communities around the world.
Mbappé also expressed respect for the Chinese people and their history, offering a sincere apology for the offence caused.
La Liga responded with a statement expressing regret over the hurt experienced by Chinese supporters. The Spanish league stressed that Mbappé’s personal views did not represent its own position.
Sponsors terminate partnerships
The commercial consequences have been significant. Chinese companies Dongpeng Beverage, Mengniu and dairy-product maker Milkground announced that they were ending their partnerships with the footballer, according to statements reported by China.org.cn.
The decision is particularly notable for Dongpeng Beverage, whose sports drink brand Bushuila had introduced Mbappé as its ambassador in April 2026.
Meanwhile, Swiss sportswear brand On and luxury fashion house Dior reportedly removed Chinese promotional content featuring the forward. However, neither company had announced a global termination of its relationship with him, according to the Chinese outlet Phoenix.
The controversy has also attracted considerable attention on Chinese social media. Mbappé reportedly had approximately one million followers each on Weibo and Xiaohongshu, while four topics related to the player appeared among Weibo’s ten most-searched subjects on 27 October.
Chinese media and officials respond
Renmin Ruiping, an online commentary platform associated with the state-run People’s Daily, criticised celebrities who offend public sentiment, arguing that such controversies can damage the companies associated with them.
The commentary maintained that celebrities who benefit commercially from a market must be mindful of its cultural values and historical sensitivities.
China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Guo Jiakun, also addressed the matter, saying the ministry was aware of the reports. He added that remarks or actions perceived as hurting the feelings of the Chinese people would naturally attract opposition from different sections of Chinese society.
For Mbappé, the episode has developed into a reputational and commercial challenge, with the response to his apology and his future actions likely to shape the next stage of the controversy.
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SEO title: Kylian Mbappé Faces China Backlash as Sponsors End Deals
Meta description: Kylian Mbappé faces growing criticism in China after controversial meme remarks, with several sponsors ending partnerships and football broadcasts disrupted.
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Tags: Kylian Mbappé, Real Madrid, La Liga, China, Football News, Sponsorships, Mao Zedong
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