World Soccer.—Kylian Mbappé is embroiled in a controversy that extends beyond the soccer field. The Real Madrid forward lost his commercial ties with three major Chinese companies after a clip from an interview in which he made a comment about Mao Zedong, China’s former leader, went viral.
Dongpeng, a beverage company; Mengniu, a dairy company; and Milkground, a cheese manufacturer, announced the termination of their agreements with the French soccer player. In their statements, the brands expressed their rejection of any expression or behavior that, from their perspective, offends national sentiments.
The decision came after images circulated of a conversation on the French online talk show *Le Pont*. During the interview, Mbappé was asked what his favorite meme about himself was and mentioned a video featuring a man he identified as a possible Chinese dictator.
The clip included a doctored image in which the soccer player’s face appeared superimposed on the figure of Mao Zedong, who ruled China from 1949 to 1976.
What did Mbappé say about Mao Zedong?
On social media, fans often use comparisons to authoritarian leaders as part of memes about Mbappé. These jokes refer to the enormous influence he is said to have within the teams he plays for.
However, the comment ended up sparking reactions among Chinese users and opened a new front for the forward, who for years had starred in advertising campaigns targeting that market.
The controversy also reached RedNote, a popular Chinese social media platform. The company explained that its content partnership with Mbappé had ended on December 31, 2024, and announced that it would remove promotional materials related to the player. Additionally, as of Tuesday, his account was no longer accepting new followers.
Criticism also spread to Weibo, where several hashtags related to the termination of sponsorships and calls to boycott the soccer player began to gain popularity.
For his part, Guo Jiakun, a spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, noted that statements that hurt the feelings of the Chinese people will face opposition from various sectors of society.
Mbappé Apologizes to the Chinese People
In light of the reaction to his words, the French forward acknowledged that his comment was inappropriate and expressed regret for the impact it may have had in China and among Chinese communities in other countries.
“My comment was ill-advised, and I now understand that it hurt many people in China and in Chinese communities around the world,” Mbappé explained, referring to what happened during the interview.
The soccer player also apologized to those who felt offended and assured them that he had not intended to be disrespectful. He also expressed his respect for the Chinese people and their history.
The controversy is a blow to the player’s commercial image, as he has worked with brands across various sectors and starred in advertising campaigns in the Asian market. Notable among these are ads for electrolyte drinks and dairy products, some of which he appeared in alongside Lionel Messi.
For now, his apology is intended to address the criticism, while the breakdown in his relationships with these companies once again highlights the impact that a sports figure’s statements can have on international business relationships.
