Two major Chinese consumer brands cut sponsorship ties with footballer Kylian Mbappé after a viral video circulated online and sparked public backlash. Multiple outlets report the brands acted after concerns that the comments offended “national sentiments” tied to Chairman Mao Zedong.
Accounts converge on the basic trigger and outcome: the video was widely shared, and the brands then terminated partnerships. Hong Kong Free Press and France 24 report specific brands involved—Dongpeng (energy/drinks) and Mengniu (dairy). Bloomberg frames the episode as part of broader political sensitivities affecting foreign celebrities and companies in China.
Across outlets, the description of what Mbappé allegedly did is consistent but phrased differently: some say he “joked” about Mao, while others reference a meme-like comparison involving Mao and Mbappé’s image. Coverage is largely aligned on the rationale given by the companies and the fact that two sponsorships ended, without reporting details on any formal investigation beyond the companies’ stated stance.
