{
  "id": 16721543,
  "title": "Major Chinese brands drop Mbappé as backlash grows over Mao joke",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/27/major-chinese-brands-drop-mbappe-as-backlash-grows-over-mao-joke",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-27T07:15:08.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "BBC Business",
    "slug": "bbc-business",
    "url": "https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cv62yg0erp8zo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Chinese brands have rescinded their endorsement deals with French footballer Kylian Mbappé after growing online backlash over comments he allegedly made about the late Chinese leader Mao Zedong. The Real Madrid forward reportedly joked about using his face in a meme alongside an image resembling Mao, stating it was a favorite among his friends. However, the original video of his remarks has been removed from The Bridge, the French talk show where the interview took place. China's foreign ministry condemned the comments, stating that any words or actions that hurt Chinese feelings will face opposition. Mbappé's association with the controversial meme has led major Chinese companies like Mengniu and Dongpeng to suspend their business relationships with the footballer, citing sensitivity towards national sentiments. Despite his popularity in China, the incident has sparked discussions about the responsibility of international public figures to respect and consider Chinese national sentiment.",
  "summary": "He allegedly said his \"favourite meme\" is \"the one where they put my face on a Chinese dictator\".",
  "key_points": [
    "French footballer Kylian Mbappé faces backlash over alleged Mao Zedong joke.",
    "Major Chinese brands, including Mengniu and Dongpeng, suspend deals with Mbappé.",
    "Chinese foreign ministry condemns comments, emphasizing opposition to offending national sentiments."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The swift termination of endorsement deals signals that Chinese corporations now prioritize national sentiment and political sensitivity over the commercial value of high-profile international sporting icons.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Guardian Business",
        "title": "Kylian Mbappé dropped by Chinese brands for ‘offending national sentiments’",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/27/kylian-mbappe-dropped-by-chinese-brands-for-offending-national",
        "published": "2026-10-27T06:24:28.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Major Chinese brands drop Mbappé as backlash grows over Mao joke",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/27/major-chinese-brands-drop-mbappe-as-backlash-grows-over-mao-joke-16725021",
        "published": "2026-10-27T08:01:43.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "City AM",
        "title": "Major Chinese brands drop Mbappe over Chairman Mao meme jokes",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/27/major-chinese-brands-drop-mbappe-over-chairman-mao-meme-jokes",
        "published": "2026-10-27T09:37:35.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Politico EU",
        "title": "Kylian Mbappé dropped by Chinese brands over ‘dictator’ comment",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/27/kylian-mbappe-dropped-by-chinese-brands-over-dictator-comment",
        "published": "2026-10-27T10:38:15.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}