Mbappe dropped by Chinese brands for 'offending national sentiments'
Chinese brands have terminated partnerships with Kylian Mbappe following a viral video in which he appears to joke about Mao Zedong. The backlash has extended to potential broadcast suspensions of La Liga matches in China.
Why it matters
This highlights the significant risks international celebrities face when navigating the strict political and cultural sensitivities of the Chinese market.
Three major China brands cut ties with Kylian Mbappe after a video appears to show him joking about Mao Zedong, sparking backlash.
People walk past a bus featuring French football star Kylian Mbappe for Dongpeng Beverage Group's Bushuila electrolyte drink on a street in Shanghai on Oct 27, 2026. (Photo: AFP/Jade Gao)
BEIJING: Kylian Mbappe was dropped on Tuesday (Oct 27) by major Chinese brands after a video circulated of the Real Madrid and France superstar apparently joking about Mao Zedong.
There were also signs of broader repercussions, with state-run The Paper reporting that public television was suspending broadcasts of matches from Spain's La Liga.
The offending video shows Mbappe saying that the funniest internet meme he had seen involving him was of his face photo-shopped onto that of "some guy - I think he's a Chinese dictator".
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Chinese Brands Drop Kylian Mbappe After Video References Mao Zedong
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