On October 27, 2026, Dongpeng and Mengniu announced an end to cooperation with Kylian Mbappé after a clip appeared to show him discussing a meme that places his face on Mao Zedong. AFP said it could not immediately verify the clip's authenticity. The company announcements are documented; the full recording is a separate question.[1][2]
What does the clip show?
Mbappé appears to answer a question about his favorite meme of himself. He mentions someone he believes is a Chinese dictator, and a Mao-style face-swap appears on screen. AP described an apparent interview related to the French online show The Bridge. The complete original recording and its editing history were not established.[1]
Where did the joke begin?
Dictator Mbappé dates back to 2024. After a dispute about a kebab menu description, French creator Mohamed Henni mocked the footballer as a dictator. A Mao-themed edit appeared on Reddit in November 2024. TikTok edits portraying him as an authoritarian ruler spread further in spring 2026. These images satirize his perceived influence in football; they do not establish his political beliefs.[4][5]
What did the companies announce?
Dongpeng said it would immediately end cooperation, opposing conduct it considered offensive to national sentiment. Mengniu made a similar announcement, republished by Beijing Daily from its official account. AP also reported action by cheese maker Milkground. Early AFP reports emphasized two firms; later coverage included a third. The count depends on the reporting time.[1][2][3]
What did people say online?
AP and AFP reported that the decisions became trending topics on Weibo, with some users criticizing the apparent remarks and calling for boycotts. This documents a visible reaction, not a unanimous view among Chinese fans. The full clip's provenance and a detailed response from Mbappé's representatives remained unconfirmed.[1][2]
Why did a football meme affect sponsorships?
In football circles, depicting a star as a ruler is an exaggerated joke about influence. In China, references to Mao carry historical and political weight. The dispute centered on how the player appeared to describe the image, rather than the existence of the edit itself.
Conclusion
The October 27 corporate decisions are verifiable, while the meme is older. The video requires further authentication and context. An old football joke reached the sponsor's office, but those two timelines should not be confused.
References (5)
- [1] Associated Press (2026-10-27): https://apnews.com/article/china-mbappe-companies-mao-zedong-837fee251df278d5657894ec226fa069
- [2] AFP (2026-10-27): https://www.afp.com/en/mbappe-dropped-chinese-brands-offending-national-sentiments
- [3] Beijing Daily / Mengniu statement (2026-10-27): https://news.bjd.com.cn/2026/10/27/12008318.shtml
- [4] Know Your Meme / Dictator Mbappé (2026-04-07): https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/dictator-mbappe
- [5] Goal / Mohamed Henni dispute (2024-03-15): https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/kylian-mbappe-ballon-d-or-french-influencer-psg-kebab-row/blt6155deace985c1c5
