Chinese brands end deals with Mbappé over dictator remark

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 27 Oct, 08:02 · Archive

At least three Chinese companies have ended endorsement agreements with Real Madrid footballer Kylian Mbappé after comments he apparently made referring to Mao Zedong as a dictator.

At least three Chinese companies have ended endorsement deals with Real Madrid footballer Kylian Mbappé following comments he appeared to make about Mao Zedong, the founding leader of Communist China, referring to him as a dictator. Beverage maker Dongpeng, dairy giant Mengniu and cheese maker Milkground announced the move on Tuesday in similarly worded statements, each saying they oppose 'any words and actions that hurt national sentiment'.

The announcements came after a video clip circulated on X appeared to show Mbappé being interviewed ahead of an appearance on the French online talk show 'The Bridge'. In the video, when asked about his favourite meme of himself, Mbappé replies that it was 'a video someone made of a guy ... I think he was a Chinese dictator', with the video showing an altered image depicting Mbappé's face on the body of Mao Zedong in his characteristic blue suit.

Soccer fans online have jokingly called Mbappé a dictator, and memes showing him as Mao or other autocratic leaders are widely circulated online. Mbappé's face had appeared in advertising across China for months before the controversy, including in subway stations and residential building elevators. Social media platform RedNote also ended a content partnership with Mbappé, saying in a separate statement that the partnership had ended on 1 December.

How it is being reported

• Chinese brands cut ties with French soccer star Mbappé over ‘Chinese dictator’ remarkFor months, French soccer star Kylian Mbappé’s face has appeared in ads across China, from subway stations to elevators in residential buildings.Clickorlando · 27 Oct, 07:27
• Chinese brands cut ties with French soccer star Mbappé over ‘Chinese dictator’ remarkFor months, French soccer star Kylian Mbappé’s face has appeared in ads across China, from subway stations to elevators in residential buildings.News4Jax · 27 Oct, 07:27

In this story: Kylian Mbappé · Mao Zedong · Real Madrid · Dongpeng · Mengniu · Milkground · RedNote · China

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