Kylian Mbappé Loses Chinese Sponsors
The soccer star apologized after a Mao 'dictator' joke drew backlash in China.
October 27, 2026 · Updated Oct 27, 11:38am ET
CNNSoccer star Kylian Mbappé apologizes for remark about ‘Chinese dictator’
Business InsiderGlobal soccer star Kylian Mbappé is losing sponsors in China after he joked about Chairman Mao
New York PostSoccer star Kylian Mbappé apologizes for calling Communist dictator Mao a ‘dictator’
Al JazeeraKylian Mbappe loses Chinese sponsors for calling Mao ‘Chinese dictator’
ABC NewsChinese brands cut ties with French soccer star Mbappé over ‘Chinese dictator’ remark
Daily CallerSponsors Dropping One Of World’s Biggest Soccer Stars Over Chinese Dictator Comment
Daily BeastSoccer Star Apologizes as Superpower Throws Tantrum Over Meme
BBC NewsMbappé dropped by major Chinese brands as backlash grows over Mao joke
FOX NewsKylian Mbappe predictably bends the knee after losing Chinese sponsors for laughing at meme of dictator Mao
The GuardianKylian Mbappé apologises after being dropped by Chinese brands for Mao Zedong comment
NBC NewsMao, memes and Mbappé: Chinese brands drop soccer star in fury over ‘dictator’ joke
Fortune'I think he was a Chinese dictator': Kylian Mbappé backtracks on stray comment after he starts losing endorsements overseas
39%
Left · 5
38%
Center · 5
23%
Right · 3
Pano rates the coverage Balanced.
What happened
Kylian Mbappé
Kylian MbappéFrench footballer (born 1998) lost sponsorship deals with three Chinese brands after a clip of his dictator remark circulated. Mbappé apologized and said he had not intended to cause offense. In the clip, from an interview for the French show “The Bridge,” he said his favorite meme put his face on “some guy” he thought was a Chinese dictator. The clip then showed Mao Zedong
Mao Zedong1st chairman of the Chinese Communist Party and founder of the People's Republic of China (1893–1976), whom Mbappé did not name. Mao founded the People’s Republic of China and remains a sensitive figure there. Dongpeng Beverage, MengniuMengniu DairyChinese company and Milkground ended their agreements. The companies said they oppose actions that hurt Chinese national sentiment. La Liga apologized to Chinese fans.
How the left told it
Left-leaning outlets framed the episode as a commercial reckoning driven by backlash, while stressing China’s Mao taboo. CNN centered the cost to Mbappé after the backlash and brand losses. Al Jazeera lingered on Mao’s status as China’s founding leader and the taboo around joking about him. The Daily Beast cast China’s response as an outsized reaction to a dictator meme.
How the right told it
Right-leaning outlets framed the episode as swift commercial punishment over a meme-linked remark, with sharper focus on Chinese pressure. The Daily Caller emphasized that even a top global soccer star could lose sponsors over the comment. The New York Post treated Mbappé’s apology as yielding after calling Mao a Communist dictator.
Mbappé Mao Comment Backlash
Part of the storyline · Storyline →- Oct 28Kylian Mbappé Apologizes Over Mao CommentBalanced
- Oct 27Kylian Mbappé Loses Chinese Sponsors (this story)Balanced
