French football superstar Kylian Mbappé has suffered a major commercial setback after two prominent Chinese companies, Dongpeng Beverage and Mengniu Dairy, terminated their sponsorship partnerships with him on October 27, 2026.

The decision followed the circulation of a video in which the Real Madrid forward appeared to joke about an internet meme depicting his face on the body of former Chinese leader Mao Zedong. During the conversation, Mbappé reportedly described the figure as a “Chinese dictator,” sparking widespread criticism among Chinese social media users.

The controversy escalated because Mao Zedong, the founding leader of the People’s Republic of China, remains an extremely sensitive historical figure in the country. Dongpeng announced that it was ending its cooperation with Mbappé, citing its zero-tolerance policy towards behaviour considered offensive to national sentiments.

Mengniu issued a similar statement, saying it would not tolerate actions that hurt the feelings of the Chinese people. Reports also indicated that Chinese cheesemaker Milkground ended its partnership with the footballer, while state broadcaster CCTV reportedly suspended broadcasts of Spanish La Liga matches amid the growing backlash.

Following the widespread criticism, Mbappé reportedly issued a public apology, expressing regret for his comments and affirming his respect for the Chinese people and their history. The incident has raised concerns about the impact of controversial public statements on international sponsorships, particularly in markets where cultural and historical sensitivities carry significant weight.

For Mbappé, who enjoys global recognition both on and off the pitch, the controversy could affect his commercial image and relationships with Chinese fans, although the long-term consequences remain uncertain.