Mbappe Dropped by Two Chinese Brands
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Kylian Mbappe was dropped Tuesday by two major brands in China after a video circulated online in which the French football star apparently joked about former leader Mao Zedong.
The video showed Mbappe saying that the funniest internet meme he had seen was of his face photoshopped onto that of "some guy -- I think he's a Chinese dictator," an apparent reference to a meme of Mbappe superimposed on an image of Mao.
Drinks giant Dongpeng said in a statement that it "firmly opposes and has a zero‑tolerance policy towards any behaviour that offends national sentiments," and that it was terminating all cooperation with Mbappe with immediate effect.
More context
Timeline
- On October 26 2026 Mbappe loses Ballon d'Or to Harry Kane in Paris.
- On October 27 2026 Dongpeng Beverage terminates cooperation with Mbappe after alleged joke on.
Why it matters
Immediate US impact: No direct impact on U.S. sports markets reported. Possible long-term US impact: Potential influence on U.S. brand partnerships with international athletes. Most affected groups: French football fans and Chinese consumers of the brands. Reader priority: High interest for sports business and international relations readers.
Coverage notes
Center: Coverage from AFP.com, reddit.com, CNA frames this as a developing news story: Mbappe Dropped by Two Chinese Brands. Reporting emphasizes verified facts, named sources, and near-term impact for readers. Left: Left-leaning desks covering the same development typically emphasize public impact, institutional accountability, and who is most affected. Right: Right-leaning desks covering the same development typically emphasize practical outcomes, market or security stakes, and institutional response.
Primary report
Yahoo Sports — Mbappe Dropped by Two Chinese Brands
Sources
JQJO Editorial Desk · Human reviewed · AI assisted. Report a correction.
