Mbappé dropped by major Chinese brands after Mao joke backlash
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Mbappé dropped by major Chinese brands after Mao joke backlash
Image source: Getty Images
Image caption: A backlash has erupted on Chinese social media over Mbappé's comments on a "Chinese dictator"
By Kelly Ng
Published 27 October 2026, 07:15 GMT Updated 16 minutes ago
Several Chinese brands have dropped French footballer Kylian Mbappé following a backlash over alleged comments referring to the late Chinese leader Mao Zedong.
Mbappé reportedly told a French talk show The Bridge the meme "that makes me laugh the most, it's the one where there's a video of a guy, I think it's a Chinese dictator..." As he trails off, a meme of his face superimposed on an image resembling Mao appears. The Real Madrid forward's nickname, "the dictator" because of his huge influence, is a popular meme and a running joke.
But the joke did not go down well in China, where Mao is revered by the Communist Party, despite his chaotic and often violent rule that left millions dead.
The BBC has reached out to Mbappé and Real Madrid for comment. The Bridge is hosted by Mbappé's Real Madrid teammate Aurélien Tchouaméni.
The original video is not available on the show's YouTube channel, and it's unclear when the interview first aired. In the unverified clips that have been circulating online, Mbappé does not identify Mao by name. He says he "uses [the meme] with friends all the time."
The furore appeared to kick off on Monday night after Chinese football forum Dongqiudi drew attention to the comments in a statement, saying they were "inappropriate" and "hurt the feelings of Chinese people."
Screengrabs of the clip and meme have since spread quickly on Chinese social media, with people echoing this sentiment and even calling for a boycott of both the French striker and his club, Real Madrid.
But some have blurred the meme itself as well as the part of the comment they found offensive, when Mbappé refers to a Chinese dictator.
Dongqiudi said in its statement that it was "unable to translate" his comments because they were "offensive to China and the Chinese people."
So, many people are also wondering what exactly Mbappé said and have responded to the angry posts and comments with questions, wanting to know more.
Image source: Weibo
Image caption: Weibo users are recirculating the clip by blurring the meme and redacting references to Mao
What is the reaction in China?
Chinese fans are criticising Mbappé – who is popular in China as and has huge brand endorsements – of "profiting from the Chinese market yet making remarks that offend the Chinese public."
"International public figures, in particular, should show greater respect and sensitivity, as national sentiment must never be taken lightly," reads another comment on Weibo.
As the anger online grew louder, Chinese brands began to cut ties, although they did not explicitly refer to the video.
The country's largest dairy producer, Mengniu, said it "firmly opposes and has a zero-tolerance policy towards any words or actions that hurt the feelings of the Chinese people."
Drinks giant Dongpeng issued a similar statement:
"Our company firmly opposes and has a zero-tolerance policy towards any behaviour that offends national sentiments."
According to state-owned newspaper The Global Times, state broadcaster CCTV's news apps will not feature content related to the French striker. CCTV will also stop showing La Liga matches, Chinese media reported on Tuesday. Real Madrid is one of 20 clubs that play in the Spanish football league.