Major Chinese brands have severed sponsorship ties with soccer star Kylian Mbappé following a joke about a meme depicting him as Mao Zedong, China’s former leader. The backlash has escalated to include the suspension of La Liga broadcasts by state broadcaster CCTV, according to multiple reports.
Mbappé loses sponsors after Mao meme joke
Three Chinese companies—Mengniu Dairy, Eastroc Beverage Group, and Milkground—announced they were terminating partnerships with Mbappé, citing statements that “hurt national sentiment.” Mengniu stated it had “zero tolerance” for actions perceived as offensive to the Chinese people. The companies had previously featured Mbappé in high-profile advertising campaigns, including a FIFA 2026 World Cup yogurt commercial for Mengniu.
CCTV suspends La Liga broadcasts in China
China’s state broadcaster CCTV has reportedly halted the airing of Real Madrid matches and all La Liga games in the country, according to coverage from The Paper and other outlets. The move follows a social media backlash after a clip from a French talk show, The Bridge, circulated online showing Mbappé laughing at a meme where his face was superimposed on an image resembling Mao Zedong.
Mbappé issues apology
Mbappé issued a statement on X (formerly Twitter) expressing regret for his remarks. “My comment was ill-judged, and I now understand that it hurts many people in China and in Chinese communities around the world,” he wrote. “I apologize to everyone my words have upset. This was absolutely not my intention. I have deep respect for the Chinese people and their history and I am sincerely sorry.”
Chinese foreign ministry responds
A spokesperson for China’s foreign ministry, Lin Jian, stated at a regular briefing that “words and deeds that hurt the feelings of the Chinese people will naturally be met with opposition from all sectors of Chinese society.” The ministry did not specify further actions but emphasized the sensitivity surrounding public figures’ remarks about China’s history.
Context: The meme and its origins
Mbappé has been widely nicknamed “The Dictator” due to his dominant presence in soccer. Fans have created memes comparing him to authoritarian historical figures, including Mao Zedong, who ruled China from 1949 to 1976. Mao’s legacy remains highly sensitive in China, where he is memorialized as a national icon despite the catastrophic consequences of his policies, including the Great Leap Forward famine and the Cultural Revolution.
Broader implications for athletes in China
This incident follows a pattern of foreign athletes facing repercussions in China for remarks perceived as offensive. In 2019, the Houston Rockets faced a years-long suspension of NBA games in China after a team executive expressed support for Hong Kong protests. In 2023, former NBA player Dwight Howard drew controversy for referring to Taiwan as a country.
Current status of partnerships
Mbappé’s official accounts on Weibo and Xiaohongshu have been frozen, with notices indicating violations of platform guidelines. The Spanish Professional Football Association (LaLiga) has also expressed regret over the incident, though it has not announced further actions.
Uncertainty remains over interview timing
The timing of the interview clip remains unclear. While some reports suggest it was broadcast in spring 2026, others indicate it circulated online only recently. Neither Mbappé nor The Bridge has publicly addressed the discrepancy.