Mengniu and Dongpeng Drop Mbappe After Mao Meme Remarks

Major Chinese consumer brands have terminated their commercial partnerships with Kylian Mbappe this week. Mengniu, the nation's largest dairy producer, and Dongpeng, a leading drinks company, both issued statements ending their ties with the French striker. The moves followed a surge in negative sentiment on Chinese social media over comments the athlete made on a French television program.

The dispute centers on a segment from a talk show where Mbappe discussed a viral internet image. In unverified clips that have since been removed from the show's YouTube channel, the Real Madrid player described a meme as his favorite. The meme features Mbappe's face superimposed on a portrait of Mao Zedong, the founder of the People's Republic of China. Although the player did not speak the leader's name in the footage, the visual reference was immediate and clear to Chinese audiences.

Chinese football forum Dongqiudi amplified the controversy on Monday night. The platform called the remarks inappropriate and stated that they hurt the feelings of the Chinese public. This assessment triggered a rapid wave of online criticism, with users accusing the star of profiting from the local market while displaying a lack of respect for its history. In response to the public mood, Mengniu announced a zero-tolerance policy for actions that injure national feelings, while Dongpeng said it firmly opposes behavior that offends national sentiments.

Government officials also weighed in on the situation. Lin Jian, a spokesperson for China's foreign ministry, told reporters that the ministry had noted the reports. He added that words and deeds that hurt the feelings of the Chinese people will naturally meet opposition from all sectors of society. Neither Mbappe nor the talk show network had issued an official reply to the growing criticism as of Tuesday.

The fallout has extended into state media coverage. Reports indicate that the state broadcaster CCTV is suspending the transmission of La Liga matches. Additionally, content related to the French forward has been stripped from the broadcaster's news applications. These changes signal a temporary reduction in the player's visibility in the Chinese media landscape.

Mbappe has long been linked to the nickname the dictator due to his dominant presence on the pitch. This moniker has made him a frequent target of internet memes. In 2024, he sued a French influencer for using his name in a food description. During the 2026 World Cup, teammate Ousmane Dembele referenced the trend by calling Mbappe Mobut, a nod to a former Congolese leader. In a September interview with France Football, Mbappe acknowledged the humor in such comparisons but noted that they can reveal a lack of political awareness among some fans.

Mao Zedong founded Communist China in 1949 and ruled through the 1960s and 1970s. His policies, including the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution, resulted in widespread hardship. While his historical legacy is mixed, he remains a revered icon within the Chinese Communist Party. This status makes any perceived disrespect a sensitive topic for businesses operating in the country.