Mbappe Dropped by Chinese Brands for Offending National Sentiments
· World · The Hindu, Sky News
French football star Kylian Mbappe was dropped by two major Chinese brands, Dongpeng Beverage Group and Mengniu, on October 27, 2026, after a video showed him joking that his face was photoshopped onto a Chinese dictator meme referencing Mao Zedong. The announcements came after the video circulated online, with brands stating they have a zero-tolerance policy toward actions offending national sentiments. Dongpeng confirmed terminating all cooperation with Mbappe, while Mengniu, China's largest dairy producer, also cut ties, noting his popularity as 'Guigui' in China. The brands cited immediate termination of contracts following public backlash over the perceived disrespect to Mao, China's founding leader who died in 1976.
Why it matters
Chinese brands have terminated partnerships with a globally popular athlete, directly impacting his commercial value in one of the world's largest consumer markets and highlighting China's strict enforcement of political sensitivities. This sets a precedent for how international celebrities may be held accountable for perceived offenses against national symbols.
Read the original report — The Hindu
Join us on Telegram
Breaking news the moment it lands. At 10,000 members we ship the Android app.