Kylian Mbappe Dropped by Chinese Brands Over Disrespectful Mao Joke

BEIJING: French football star Kylian Mbappe has been dropped by two major Chinese brands following the circulation of a video in which he appeared to joke about Mao Zedong, the country’s founding leader. The decision was made public on Tuesday, highlighting the sensitivity surrounding historical figures in China.

In a statement, Dongpeng, a prominent beverage company, announced, “Our company firmly opposes and has a zero-tolerance policy towards any behaviour that offends national sentiments,” confirming the immediate termination of all cooperation with Mbappe. Mengniu, China’s largest dairy producer, also severed ties with the 27-year-old athlete, who had previously enjoyed immense popularity among Chinese fans.

This incident underscores the delicate nature of cultural references in China, where jokes about Mao are considered disrespectful and remain a significant social taboo. Mbappe, affectionately known as “Guigui” in China due to a meme linking him to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, now faces a significant backlash that could impact his marketability in the region.

As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how this will affect Mbappe’s future endorsements and his relationship with Chinese fans. The football community is closely monitoring the implications of this incident, particularly as it relates to international athletes navigating cultural sensitivities in foreign markets.