MBAPPE LOSES TWO CHINESE SPONSORSHIP DEALS OVER ALLEGED MAO ZEDONG JOKE

Two major Chinese companies have ended their partnerships with Kylian Mbappe after a video circulated online appearing to show him making a joke linked to former Chinese leader Mao Zedong.

The drinks and dairy companies announced on Tuesday that they were cutting ties with the France captain, saying they opposed remarks or actions that offended Chinese people.

In the circulating clip, Mbappe apparently describes a meme showing his face placed over the image of someone he refers to as a Chinese dictator. The comment was interpreted as a reference to Mao, who remains a sensitive figure in China.

However, the authenticity of the video had not been independently verified at the time of the report.

The controversy quickly gained attention on Chinese social media, where some users criticised the alleged remarks and called for the footballer’s image to be removed from product packaging.

Mbappe, who plays for Real Madrid, has a large following in China and had featured in advertising campaigns during the year’s World Cup.

In a separate interview in September, he discussed memes comparing him to historical dictators. He said some were intended as harmless humour but expressed discomfort with comparisons to people responsible for widespread suffering.

The sponsorship decisions came a day after Mbappe lost the Ballon d’Or to Harry Kane.