Real Madrid faces a trade boycott in China following the revelation that KylianMbappé laughs at memes comparing him to MaoZedong. Several Chinese companies have decided to immediately terminate their agreements with the French striker, claiming “zero tolerance for behavior that hurts national sentiments.” Among the signatories are Dongpeng Beverage Group, Mengniu and Milkground, all from the beverage and dairy industry.
Dongpeng's announcement came through his main account and that of his brand BuShuiLa on Weibo, where the breakup of the relationship was confirmed without detailing the exact reason. Mengniu and Milkground followed the same tone, denouncing any action that “hurts the feelings of the Chinese people.” The context is the rise of Mbappé sponsorships in the country, where his image appeared on bus shelters, buses and elevators during the summer, especially during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The controversy was sparked when the player, during a recent interview, commented that his favorite meme is the one that shows him with his face superimposed on that of Mao Zedong, and that he shares it with his friends. He did not mention any leader in particular, but the image provoked an immediate reaction from Chinese authorities and companies, where satire of historical figures of the Communist Party is considered defamation.
The boycott is not the first incident involving Real Madrid in China. In September, the club was criticized for a message that incorrectly linked Nepal and Tibet, and in April FC Barcelona apologized after an image with the Taiwanese flag in a publication managed by a third party. Furthermore, in February Real Madrid had already issued an apology for offensive content by its defender DeanHuijsen on Weibo.
With the cancellation of the contracts, Mbappé loses two important Chinese sponsors, which could affect his image and income in the Asian market. The companies have declared that they will not associate with the player again, while the club and the footballer must manage the impact on their international commercial relations. The situation underlines the sensitivity of Chinese brands to any content that may offend national sensibilities and the need for teams and athletes to adapt to the cultural norms of the markets where they operate.