Mbappé Endorsements: Chinese brands halt deals after viral interview clip

Kylian Mbappé has lost two major commercial partners in China. The Real Madrid forward’s contracts with dairy giant Mengniu and drinks company Dongpeng are now terminated. The companies cited hurt sentiments in China as the reason for the split.

The controversy began with clips from a French talk show called The Bridge. In the footage, Mbappé says his favorite meme is one that places his face on an image of a Chinese dictator. He notes that the joke makes him laugh and that he uses it with friends. The specific individual referenced in the clip is Mao Zedong, the leader who founded Communist China in 1949.

Chinese football forum Dongqiudi flagged the comments on Monday night. The forum called the remarks inappropriate and said they hurt the feelings of the Chinese people. The reaction spread quickly across Chinese social media platforms, including Weibo. Users pointed out that Mbappé is very popular in China and has many endorsements. They argued that he benefits from the local market while making comments that offend the public.

China’s foreign ministry also weighed in. Spokesperson Lin Jian stated that words and deeds that hurt the feelings of the Chinese people will meet opposition from all sectors of Chinese society. Neither Mbappé nor The Bridge has officially commented on the incident so far. The original video has been removed from the show’s YouTube channel, but screenshots continue to circulate.

The broadcasting sector has also felt the impact. According to The Paper, Chinese state broadcaster CCTV is suspending La Liga matches. Reports indicate that CCTV news apps have removed content related to the French striker. The two companies ending their deals with Mbappé did not mention the specific video in their announcements. Instead, they used a standard zero-tolerance policy toward actions that offend national sentiments.

Online users are now debating the extent of the offense. Some ask what exactly Mbappé said that was so bad, given that the brands did not specify the clip. The nickname dictator for Mbappé comes from his influence in football. He has previously addressed these memes in interviews. In September, he told France Football that comparing him to historical figures who caused suffering was not always funny.

Ousmane Dembélé, a teammate for France, joined in on the trend during the 2026 World Cup. He referred to Mbappé as Mobut, a nod to Mobutu Sese Seko. Mbappé has been part of the Real Madrid squad since his debut in August 2024. The loss of these endorsements marks a shift in his commercial relationships in one of the world’s largest consumer markets.