French soccer star Kylian Mbappe has lost at least two major Chinese sponsors following controversy over a video that appeared to show him joking about a meme involving China's former leader Mao Zedong [1]. The incident represents a significant commercial setback for the athlete in one of the world's largest consumer markets. While the article does not specify the names of all sponsors that terminated relationships or provide details about the financial impact of these sponsorship losses, it confirms that beverage company Dongpeng was among the brands that had previously featured Mbappe's image on their products [1]. The timing of these sponsorships terminations—occurring in October 2026—suggests rapid corporate response to perceived offense to Chinese national sensibilities [1]. No forward-looking statements regarding potential reconciliation or additional sponsor departures are mentioned in the available source material.
CONCLUSION
Mbappe's loss of at least two major Chinese sponsorships over the Mao Zedong meme controversy demonstrates the significant commercial risks athletes face when their actions are perceived as disrespectful to China's political history. This incident highlights the importance of cultural sensitivity in international sports marketing and the substantial revenue implications of maintaining sponsor relationships in the Chinese market.