We and our partners do the following data processing based on your consent: store and/or access information on a device, personalised advertising and content, advertising and content measurement, audience research and services development Kylian Mbappe loses two major China sponsorship deals over Mao Zedong joke French football star Kylian Mbappe was dropped by two major Chinese brands on Tuesday after a video circulated online in which he appeared to joke about former leader Mao Zedong. Energy drink giant Dongpeng and dairy producer Mengniu said they had terminated their partnerships, citing remarks that offended Chinese national sentiment. Kylian Mbappe scored twice as Real Madrid beat Barcelona 2-1 in the Clasico © Josep Lago, Kylian Mbappe was dropped Tuesday by two major brands in China after a video circulated online in which the French football star apparently joked about former leader Mao Zedong.
"Our company firmly opposes and has a zero-tolerance policy towards any behaviour that offends national sentiments," drinks giant Dongpeng said in a statement, adding that "with immediate effect we are terminating all cooperation with Kylian Mbappe". Mengniu, China's largest dairy producer, also cut ties with the Real Madrid and France forward. "With immediate effect our company is terminating all cooperation with Kylian Mbappe," Mengniu said in a statement.
"Mengniu firmly opposes and has a zero-tolerance policy towards any words or actions that hurt the feelings of the Chinese people," it added. Read moreMbappé, Kane and Yamal top favourites list in wide-open 2026 Ballon d’Or race The announcements came after a video emerged online with Mbappe saying that the funniest internet meme he had seen was of his face photoshopped onto that of "some guy -- I think he's a Chinese dictator". This was an apparent reference to a meme of Mbappe superimposed on an image of Mao, one of several using the footballer's face and other historical figures.
The authenticity of the video could not immediately be verified by Fact Check. "Dongpeng Beverage ends cooperation with Mbappe" was the top-trending topic on Chinese social media site Weibo. The 27-year-old Mbappe lost out to Harry Kane for the Ballon d'Or on Monday.
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