Real Madrid forward
The incident stems from a video clip in which Mbappe discusses an internet meme that depicts his face superimposed onto the body of Mao Zedong. In the footage, the footballer describes the image as humorous and notes that he has shared the meme among his friends. The comments have been widely interpreted as offensive, leading to a swift and severe reaction across Chinese social media platforms and within the corporate sector.
Corporate Sponsorships Terminated Amid Public Outrage
The commercial consequences for the France captain have been immediate. Several prominent Chinese companies have moved to distance themselves from the player, citing a zero-tolerance policy toward actions that they claim offend national sentiments. Beverage giant Dongpeng, which previously featured Mbappe in advertising campaigns during the FIFA World Cup, was among the first to announce the termination of its collaboration.
The dairy producer Mengniu and the cheese manufacturer Milkground have also severed their ties with the striker. On the social media platform Weibo, the backlash has been intense, with a hashtag related to the end of the partnership with Dongpeng accumulating over 430 million views. Public sentiment has been further fueled by statements from Chinese football media outlets, including Dongqiudi, which labeled the remarks as offensive to the nation and its people.
La Liga Issues Formal Apology
The controversy has extended to the broadcast and institutional level, with reports indicating that state-run media outlet The Paper has suspended the airing of La Liga matches. In response to the escalating tension, the Spanish league released an official statement on Tuesday expressing deep regret for the offense caused by the player's comments.
La Liga clarified that the remarks were made in a personal capacity and did not reflect the values of the organization. The league issued an apology on behalf of its clubs, emphasizing a commitment to respect and cultural unity. Furthermore, officials confirmed they are working with institutional partners in China to address the situation and intend to implement a new awareness protocol for players and clubs to prevent similar occurrences in the future. As of now, the situation remains a significant point of friction between the player and his substantial fan base in the Chinese market.
