Chinese brands break up with Kylian Mbappé after the Ballon d'Or
UNDERSTAND Why Kylian Mbappé finds himself at the centre of a Chinese controversy after finishing second in the 2026 Ballon d’Or behind Harry Kane, the 27‑year‑old French captain being targeted by a wave of boycott after the broadcast of a video in which he appears to joke about Mao Zedong.
Reaction of Chinese brands
, reported by Alexandre Jaquin, indicates that the giants Dongpeng (drinks), Mengniu (dairy products) and Milkground (cheese maker) announced on Tuesday the immediate termination of their contracts with the footballer. The three companies invoked a “zero tolerance” policy towards any act or statement that offends national sentiments.
These brands used Mbappé’s image on their packaging, notably on beverage bottles and dairy products, and the 27‑year‑old was one of their most visible ambassadors in China.
Official condemnation by the government
The foreign affairs spokesperson, Guo Jiakun, said at a press briefing: “Any comment or any act that hurts the feelings of the Chinese people naturally meets a common rejection from the whole Chinese society.” The government thus officially condemned the player’s remarks.
Mbappé remains without Ballon d’Or despite his top‑scorer titles in Liga
According to the state media The Paper, the public broadcaster CCTV is said to have suspended the broadcast of all La Liga matches involving Real Madrid and featuring Mbappé, as well as the advertisements showing him, although the AFP could not independently confirm this information.
Media echo and Germanic context
The Shenzhen drinks manufacturer and an Inner Mongolia dairy producer also announced the end of their partnerships, without specifying the exact reasons, echoing the same zero‑tolerance stance. On the same day, the Chinese sports news site Dongqiudi reported that it could not translate Mbappé’s remarks, deeming them offensive to the Chinese people.
Social media expert Manya Koetse highlighted on platform X that netizens were referring to Chinese banknotes bearing Mao’s portrait to understand the context of the controversy.
Mbappé apologizes after two Chinese sponsors end deal
Despite the controversy, the AFP noted that its verification services could not confirm the authenticity of the incriminated video, leaving the question of the player’s responsibility unresolved.