Chinese Brands Cut Ties With Mbappé

Several major Chinese consumer brands have ended endorsement partnerships with French soccer star Kylian Mbappé following remarks he made during an interview, which appeared to reference Mao Zedong, the founding leader of Communist China, as a dictator. The backlash began after a social media clip of Mbappé’s comments circulated online. In official statements, companies including Dongpeng, Mengniu, and Milkground announced the termination of their agreements, each affirming opposition to any words or actions perceived as harmful to national sentiment. The incident sparked widespread discussion on Chinese social media platforms, where related hashtags quickly rose to the top of trending lists. The controversy highlights the sensitivity of political topics in China and the potential repercussions for foreign celebrities and brands operating in the market.