Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe has come under intense criticism in China after a viral video showing him laughing at an edited image of former Chinese leader Mao Zedong triggered a backlash that has cost him two major sponsorship deals.
Chinese companies Dongpeng and Mengniu have reportedly ended their commercial partnerships with the France international following the controversy, which has also drawn a response from the Chinese government.
Guo Jiakun, spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, addressed the incident during an official press briefing on Tuesday, defending the public reaction to what many Chinese citizens considered disrespectful towards a prominent historical figure.
“Any word or act that hurts the feelings of the Chinese people naturally meets with common rejection from the whole of Chinese society,” Jiakun told reporters, as quoted by *MadeInFoot*.
The controversy began during an episode of the online show *The Bridge*, where Mbappe was seen laughing at an edited internet montage that superimposed his face onto Mao Zedong’s image.
The clip subsequently circulated on Chinese social media platforms, prompting widespread criticism from users who viewed the moment as an insult to the former leader.
The backlash has since escalated beyond social media, with the reported termination of the partnerships with Dongpeng and Mengniu highlighting the commercial consequences facing the Real Madrid forward.
The development represents a challenge to Mbappe’s commercial standing in China, where the controversy has drawn attention away from his football career.
The France international and his representatives now face pressure to manage the fallout, although no public apology from the player was mentioned in the report.
It remains unclear whether Mbappe will issue a statement to address the criticism or attempt to restore his commercial relationships in the Chinese market.
For now, the forward faces the task of dealing with the reputational damage while continuing his responsibilities at Real Madrid.
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