The French captain’s runner‑up finish at the 2026 Ballon d’Or has ignited a firestorm in China, where several firms have cut ties after a video surfaced showing him joking about Mao Zedong. Chinese officials have publicly condemned the Real Madrid striker’s conduct.
Mbappé flew to London hoping to claim his first Ballon d’Or, but a marathon ceremony and a razor‑thin vote left him second to England’s Harry Kane of Bayern Munich. The disappointment quickly spiraled into a scandal that eclipses the award itself.
On Tuesday, three major Chinese brands announced the immediate termination of their contracts with the 27‑year‑old forward, effectively boycotting him in a market of nearly 1.4 billion people. The uproar has escalated into a state‑level issue with an official government rebuke.
• Why did Chinese brands cut ties with Mbappé?
The companies—Dongpeng beverages, Mengniu dairy, and cheese maker Milkground—cited a strict “zero‑tolerance” policy for any remarks that offend national sentiments, ending their partnerships with the French star.
The controversy stems from a clip in which Mbappé appears to mock Mao Zedong, the founder of the People’s Republic. In the video, the Paris‑born striker laughs at a meme that overlays his face on a figure he describes as “a Chinese dictator,” sparking outrage across the world’s second‑largest population.
• Who was Mao Zedong, the central figure of Chinese history?
Understanding the backlash requires grasping Mao’s legacy. In the early 20th century he led the communist revolution, helped create the Chinese Communist Party, and established the People’s Republic, a regime many outsiders label authoritarian.
Since his death in 1976 at 82, Mao—often called “the Great Helmsman”—remains a revered national hero, officially celebrated throughout China.
• Why is the Chinese government also protesting?
Following the brand withdrawals, foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun warned that any comment or act hurting Chinese sentiments will naturally meet widespread societal rejection.
State media outlet The Paper reports that CCTV has halted all Real Madrid Liga broadcasts featuring Mbappé and is pulling any ads that showcase him, though AFP could not independently verify the claim.
• Has the controversial video been authenticated?
In France, AFP noted its digital verification team has yet to confirm the authenticity of the video where Mbappé seemingly jokes about Mao.
• What repercussions will Mbappé face? Will he ever recover his standing in China?
The dispute has exploded online, with tens of millions weighing in. The headline “Dongpeng ends partnership with Mbappé” trended on Weibo, amassing 430 million views. Despite the French team’s modest World Cup pedigree, Mbappé enjoys a massive Chinese following—over a million followers on Weibo and 1.1 million on Xiaohongshu, where AI‑generated ads once featured him heavily.
His Xiaohongshu account was suspended for “community rule violations,” a move that could cripple his Chinese earnings and any future sponsorship deals the Real Madrid brand might secure on the continent.
On Tuesday after 12:30 p.m., Mbappé issued an apology: “I am deeply sorry to anyone I offended. It was never my intention. I have great respect for the Chinese people and their history.”