Kylian Mbappé Faces Backlash from Chinese Sponsors Over Controversial Meme

Kylian Mbappé has seen multiple Chinese sponsors sever ties with him after a video surfaced in which he appears to comment on a meme portraying him as Mao Zedong. This controversy coincided with the Ballon d'Or ceremony held in London.

The Dongpeng Beverage Group announced the termination of its partnership with Mbappé, stating it opposes any actions that could offend national sentiments. Other companies, including Mengniu and Milkground, also ended their collaborations with the French soccer star.

The video, which has not been independently verified, reportedly shows Mbappé laughing about the meme and mentioning he shares it with friends online. The Chinese foreign ministry criticized his remarks, asserting they hurt the feelings of the Chinese people. The original interview clip has been removed from Chinese social media, and the backlash has sparked widespread discussion among users.