Mbappé drops from Chinese ads after Mao Zedong remark

Kylian Mbappé is losing his face on Chinese billboards. Three major brands announced Tuesday that they are cutting their ties with the Real Madrid and France star. The decision comes after a video of Mbappé describing Mao Zedong as a dictator spread across social media platforms in China.

The three companies are beverage maker Dongpeng, dairy giant Mengniu, and cheese maker Milkground. Each issued a statement with nearly identical wording. They said they are ending their agreements with the player because they oppose any words or actions that hurt national sentiment. The brands did not specify exactly which comments triggered the move, but the announcements followed the viral clip.

The video shows Mbappé being interviewed before appearing on the French online talk show The Bridge. When asked about his favorite meme of himself, he pointed to a video that altered his face onto the body of Mao Zedong. Mbappé identified the figure in the image as a Chinese dictator. The clip quickly circulated on X and other platforms, sparking widespread discussion.

Mbappé reacted to the backlash by posting an apology on his social media accounts on Tuesday. He acknowledged that his comment was ill-judged. He stated that he now understands his words hurt many people in China and in Chinese communities around the world. He expressed deep respect for the Chinese people and their history, adding that his intention was absolutely not to cause offense.

Social media platform RedNote also joined the criticism. The company clarified that its content partnership with Mbappé had already ended on December 31, 2024. Despite the contract being over, RedNote said it would remove related promotional materials. Like the food and beverage companies, it expressed opposition to any conduct that hurts national sentiment.

The backlash reached LaLiga, the Spanish football league. The league issued a statement on Tuesday to distance itself from the comments. LaLiga said the remarks were made in a personal capacity and do not represent the league or its clubs. The league apologized on behalf of its institutions and said it values the support of millions of fans in China who follow the sport each week.

LaLiga said it is working with partners and institutional contacts in China to address the situation. The league also announced it will implement a new protocol for awareness and communication. This protocol aims to promote respect for different cultures and help prevent similar incidents in the future. The statement emphasized that Spanish football upholds respect and unity among people of all cultures.

The incident has already made a mark on Chinese social media. Hashtags such as Dongpeng ends partnership with Mbappé and Several brands end partnerships with Mbappé topped the trending list on Weibo. Another hashtag, Football fans boycott Mbappé, also gained traction. Some users expressed anger at the remarks, while others told the player not to come to China.

Mbappé has been a prominent figure in Chinese advertising campaigns for years. He has appeared in commercials for electrolyte drinks, milk, and cheese. In one Dongpeng commercial, he delivered a slogan in Chinese. In a Mengniu ad, he appeared alongside Lionel Messi. These roles made him a recognizable figure in the market, a status that appears to be shifting after the recent comments.

The timing of the breakups is immediate. The companies released their statements on Tuesday, the same day the apology video circulated. The moves reflect a quick response to public sentiment. As the hashtags continue to trend, the financial and promotional relationships between Mbappé and the Chinese market face a pause. The next step for the brands and the player is unclear, but the current agreements are formally ending.