Kylian Mbappe faces corporate fallout in China over Mao Zedong remarks

Real Madrid forward and France captain Kylian Mbappe has been dropped by several major Chinese brands following backlash over comments made in a recently surfaced podcast clip. In the video, Mbappe referred to China’s late leader Mao Zedong as "a Chinese dictator," a topic considered taboo in China where the founder of the People’s Republic is highly revered.

Major companies including Eastroc Beverage, Mengniu Dairy, and Shanghai Milkground have terminated their cooperation with the footballer, citing his behavior as damaging to national sentiment. The fallout intensified as state broadcaster CCTV removed Mbappe-related advertisements, and Chinese social media platforms restricted access to his accounts. While reports on the exact context of the video vary—with one source noting he discussed a meme of himself morphed onto the leader and another citing his specific remarks about Mao's identity—the consequences were swift. Mbappe issued a formal apology on Tuesday, describing his remarks as "ill-judged.

This incident follows a recurring pattern of public backlash against foreign figures and brands in China. Analysts highlight the episode as a stark reminder of the volatile business risks associated with navigating cultural sensitivities in the Chinese market, where celebrity endorsements are frequently retracted following perceived slights to national sentiment.