Mbappé’s China Controversy Deepens as Sponsors End Partnerships After Mao Meme Backlash

Kylian Mbappé has found himself at the centre of an international controversy after comments made during an interview about an internet meme depicting him as Chinese leader Mao Zedong triggered a backlash in China.

The Real Madrid forward has since apologised, describing his comments as “ill-judged” and saying he never intended to offend the Chinese people.

However, the fallout has already begun to affect his commercial partnerships, with several Chinese companies announcing that they are ending their relationships with the football superstar.

The situation has also created an uncomfortable issue for Spanish football, with the controversy reportedly affecting La Liga’s relationship with broadcasters and commercial partners in China.

The controversy began after footage from a backstage interview with French-language talk show The Bridge resurfaced online.

In the clip, Mbappé was asked about the internet memes portraying him as a dictator. One particular image featured his face superimposed onto the body of Mao Zedong, the founding leader of China.

Mbappé reportedly described the image as the meme that made him laugh the most, adding that he would use it with his friends online.

The comments were made during an interview recorded in April, but the footage only attracted widespread attention after being shared publicly in October.

The reaction was particularly strong in China, where jokes involving Mao and other major political figures can be extremely sensitive. If you are unfamiliar with Chinese politics, they have a one-party cult of personality style of government, where any mocking of leaders is suppressed and punished.

Mbappé responded to the backlash by issuing an apology to those who felt offended by his comments.

He acknowledged that his remark was poorly judged and said he now understood that it had hurt people in China and Chinese communities around the world.

The French international also stressed that causing offence was never his intention and that he has deep respect for Chinese people and their history.

The programme that originally published the footage also apologised, saying it regretted the offence caused to viewers, Mbappé and the organisations affected by the controversy.

However, the apology has not prevented the situation from escalating.

The most immediate consequences have come through Mbappé's commercial partnerships.

Dongpeng Beverage Group, which appointed the forward as an ambassador for its electrolyte drink earlier this year, announced that it was terminating its cooperation with him.

Chinese dairy companies Mengniu and Milkground also announced that they were ending their partnerships with the footballer.

The decisions represent a significant commercial setback for one of the world's most recognisable footballers, particularly with the 2026 World Cup approaching.

The controversy has also attracted attention from Chinese officials and state media, while reports have indicated that broadcasts of Spanish football in China could be affected.

La Liga has attempted to distance itself from the comments, stressing that Mbappé was speaking in a personal capacity and did not represent the competition.

The controversy is particularly interesting given Mbappé's previous comments about the dictator memes.

The forward has previously acknowledged that some of the images can be humorous, but has also expressed discomfort with being compared to historical figures responsible for enormous suffering.

The memes originally became popular during his time at Paris Saint-Germain, with some supporters portraying him as a player with excessive influence at the club.

They continued following his departure for Real Madrid in 2024.

The latest incident has now moved beyond football banter and into a much more serious commercial and political discussion.

Mbappé has apologised, but the financial and reputational consequences could continue for some time.

The forward remains one of football's biggest global stars, and his performances on the pitch are unlikely to be overshadowed permanently by one controversy.

However, the incident demonstrates how quickly a seemingly casual comment can become a major international issue, particularly when global brands and different cultural sensitivities are involved.

For now, Mbappé will be hoping the apology helps calm the situation, while Real Madrid and his commercial representatives assess the damage.