Mbappé dropped by major Chinese brands as backlash grows over Mao joke

Several Chinese brands have ended their partnerships with Kylian Mbappé after comments attributed to the French footballer on The Bridge circulated online. Mbappé reportedly joked about a meme depicting him with Mao Zedong’s face, without naming the Chinese leader, and said he often used the meme with friends. Football forum Dongqiudi called the remarks inappropriate and hurtful to Chinese people, prompting calls on social media to boycott Mbappé and Real Madrid. The original video is unavailable on the show’s YouTube channel, and the BBC has contacted Mbappé and the club for comment.