Two Chinese companies have ended their commercial partnerships with Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe following comments he made about an internet meme depicting him as former Chinese leader Mao Zedong.
Dairy manufacturer Mengniu and drinks company Dongpeng announced their decisions after footage from a French talk show resurfaced on social media.
During an appearance on The Bridge, Mbappe was asked which online meme involving him he found most amusing.
The France international referred to an image portraying him as a Chinese dictator, although he did not explicitly mention Mao by name.
“That really makes me laugh, I use it with my friends all the time,” the 27-year-old said.
The footage included an image showing Mbappe’s face superimposed onto Mao, who led China from the establishment of the People’s Republic in 1949 until his death in 1976.
The clip subsequently circulated across Chinese social media platforms, prompting criticism and responses from the player’s commercial partners.
Mengniu announced the immediate termination of its relationship with Mbappe in a statement published on Weibo.
The company said it strongly opposed remarks or behaviour that offended Chinese national sentiments and maintained a zero-tolerance position on such matters.
Dongpeng issued a similar statement, confirming that it had also ended its cooperation with the Real Madrid forward.
The controversy subsequently prompted a response from La Liga president Javier Tebas, who apologised to Chinese supporters.
“We at La Liga deeply regret Kylian Mbappe’s comments, which have caused distress and offence in China,” Tebas said.
He stressed the importance of maintaining the league’s relationship with China and protecting its clubs’ commercial interests in the country.
La Liga also released a separate statement emphasising that Mbappe’s comments did not represent the organisation’s position.
The league confirmed that it was working with Chinese partners and institutional representatives to address the controversy.
It also outlined plans to introduce cultural awareness and communication measures involving clubs and players.
The incident stems from an internet joke that has circulated since 2024, portraying Mbappe as an authoritarian figure.
The meme gained further prominence during the 2026 World Cup, with edited images and videos depicting the French captain alongside historical and contemporary dictators.
Some versions referenced moments when Mbappe appeared to direct teammates, officials or staff during matches.
The controversy has now extended beyond social media, affecting Mbappe’s commercial relationships and prompting an official response from Spanish football authorities.