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Chinese companies and state TV end Mbappé sponsorships over Mao joke

Kylian Mbappé loses sponsors and broadcasting rights in China after making light of a meme linking him to Mao Zedong.

28 October 2026Tagblick Newsdesk

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Archive photo: Chinese companies and state TV end Mbappé sponsorships over Mao joke — Archive photoPhoto: -- Steindy ( talk ) 15:57, 29 August 2019 (UTC) · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

Chinese companies have terminated their partnership with footballer Kylian Mbappé following remarks he made in a podcast. According to sources, at least two, possibly three Chinese companies reacted to the comment. Additionally, Chinese state television has refused to broadcast matches featuring the Real Madrid player. The companies say Mbappé has hurt national feelings.

In a video that went viral on social media, Mbappé was asked about memes circulating about him. In his response, he spoke about a meme showing his head placed on someone else's and said: "I think he is a Chinese dictator," referring to Mao Zedong. La Liga, the competition in which Real Madrid plays, is also being punished: the team's matches are being blocked from Chinese broadcasters.

Mbappé subsequently apologized. Real Madrid did the same. The Chinese government responded briefly on Wednesday to the apologies, stating it takes them "seriously." According to sources, the memes Mbappé was discussing originated from a crisis at Real Madrid last season, when rumors circulated about his role in club policy.

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