French Football Star Loses Chinese Endorsements Over Controversial Video

French football star Kylian Mbappé has lost two major Chinese endorsements after a video surfaced showing him making jokes about former Chinese leader Mao Zedong. The video, which circulated online, showed Mbappé apparently joking about a satirical image that combined his face with that of Mao, a figure still highly revered in China.

The Chinese beverage giant Dongbang and Mengniu, China's largest dairy producer, both announced they were ending their partnerships with the 27-year-old French national team captain. Dongbang stated that the company strongly opposes any behavior that disrespects national sentiments. Mengniu echoed this sentiment, emphasizing its zero-tolerance policy towards any statements or actions that offend the Chinese people.

Mbappé, known in China as 'Guigui,' a nickname derived from a popular meme, has been a popular figure among Chinese audiences. His endorsements included advertisements featuring AI-generated images of him drinking Dongbang's sports beverages, which were prominently displayed during the World Cup this year. Mengniu had also benefited from Mbappé's widespread popularity, with millions of followers on social media platforms.

The controversy erupted after Mbappé mentioned in an interview that the funniest satirical image he had seen online was one that combined his face with that of a former Chinese dictator. The video was widely circulated, sparking outrage among Chinese netizens. The hashtag '#Dongbang terminates partnership with Mbappé' trended on the Chinese platform Weibo, reflecting the public's reaction to the incident.

Dongqiu Di, one of China's largest online sports platforms, also condemned Mbappé's remarks, stating that they were offensive to China and the Chinese people, damaging the feelings of Chinese football fans and the general public.

This is not the first time Mbappé has faced controversy in China. In September, he was involved in a dispute with a Chinese football club over a social media post. The incident highlights the sensitivity surrounding national symbols and historical figures in China, where such topics are often subject to strict social and legal regulations.