Several major Chinese brands have terminated their sponsorship deals with Kylian Mbappé after clips from a French talk show sparked widespread anger across China over remarks the Real Madrid forward allegedly made about the late Mao Zedong.

In footage circulating on Chinese social media, Mbappé appears to reference Mao during an appearance on the French programme The Bridge, describing a meme — featuring his own face superimposed on an image resembling the Chinese leader — as one that makes him laugh. "I use it with my friends all the time," he reportedly adds. Neither Mbappé nor The Bridge has issued any statement, and the original video has been removed from the show's YouTube channel.

China's foreign ministry entered the debate, with spokesperson Lin Jian stating: "We have noted the relevant reports. Words and deeds that hurt the feelings of the Chinese people will naturally be met with opposition from all sectors of Chinese society."

Brands and broadcasters respond

Mengniu, China's largest dairy producer, announced 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 echoed the sentiment, declaring it "firmly opposes and has a zero-tolerance policy towards any behaviour that offends national sentiments." Neither brand named Mbappé or the disputed clip directly.

State broadcaster CCTV has also suspended coverage of La Liga matches, according to Chinese media outlet The Paper. State-owned newspaper The Global Times reported that CCTV's news apps have removed all content relating to the French striker.

Chinese football forum Dongqiudi was among the first to draw attention to the remarks on Monday night, describing them as "inappropriate" and adding that they had "hurt the feelings of Chinese people." The forum noted it was "unable to translate" the comments given their offensive nature.

Mao's legacy in China

Mao founded the People's Republic of China in 1949 and ruled through two of the country's most turbulent decades. His Great Leap Forward — a drive toward rapid industrialisation — triggered a famine that cost tens of millions of lives. The Cultural Revolution that followed was a violent campaign against perceived enemies of Communism, targeting intellectuals, landowners, artists, and political rivals.

Despite this history, the Chinese Communist Party has long held Mao as a national icon whose legacy remains beyond criticism.

The 'dictator' meme

Mbappé has carried the nickname "the dictator" in football circles for years, a reference to the remarkable sway he holds over club and international football decisions. The label has spawned countless memes — including one by France team-mate Ousmane Dembele, who called Mbappé "Mobut" during the 2026 World Cup, a nod to Mobutu Sese Seko, the ruler who governed the Democratic Republic of Congo for three decades.

In a September interview with France Football, Mbappé reflected on the meme culture surrounding him: "There's a side that's a bit less funny, because we know the damage people like that have caused throughout history. Being compared to people who murder others, or who have made millions upon millions of people miserable... I don't think I've done that in my life."

As the backlash continues to grow online, the full consequences of the controversy — for Mbappé's endorsement portfolio and La Liga's footprint in China — remain to be seen.