Mao Zedong Controversy: Kylian Mbappé’s First Real Setback

After a video showed Kylian Mbappé referring to a meme comparing him to a “Chinese dictator,” brands Dongpeng and Mengniu ended their sponsorship contracts with him on October 27, 2026. Mbappé apologized in French, Mandarin and English, but state broadcaster CCTV suspended its live broadcasts of La Liga matches, including a Real Madrid game. La Liga president Javier Tebas apologized to Chinese audiences, while ambassador Yao Jing confirmed exchanges with Spanish football officials but announced no date for broadcasts to resume. The commercial and media fallout adds to Mbappé’s sporting setbacks with France, including defeats at the 2022 and 2026 World Cups.