French football star Kylian Mbappe has been dropped by two major corporate sponsors in China following the circulation of an online video in which the Real Madrid forward seemingly made a controversial remark about former leader Mao Zedong. The fast-developing fallout saw key brands cut ties with the 27-year-old player with immediate effect.
Drinks manufacturer Dongpeng and dairy giant Mengniu both released separate statements confirming their decisions to terminate all current commercial cooperation with the player. The controversy erupted on Tuesday after footage spread widely across digital platforms showing the French international referencing a popular internet meme that superimposed his face onto images of historical figures, including the former Chinese leader.
- Dongpeng Beverage announced the immediate cancellation of its sponsorship agreement, citing a zero-tolerance policy toward behavior offending national sentiments.
- Dairy producer Mengniu similarly severed all commercial ties, stating that it strongly opposes any words or actions hurting public feelings in the country.
- The controversial video featured the French forward discussing an internet meme where his face was photoshopped onto a Chinese historical personality.
- The sponsorship cancellations became the top-trending topic on the major Chinese social media network Weibo on Tuesday morning.
Sponsorship Fallout And Commercial Impact
The swift termination by prominent Chinese enterprises represents a significant commercial blow to the French star, who commands a massive global marketing portfolio. Both corporations emphasized that upholding national sentiment and respect remains paramount, leaving little room for corporate ambiguity following the viral social media clip. While the authenticity of the circulated footage faced immediate verification checks by independent fact-checkers, the corporate reaction was swift and uncompromising.
Broader Context And Recent Events
The sponsorship terminations arrive during a tumultuous week for the high-profile forward, who recently missed out on winning the prestigious Ballon d’Or award on Monday, where English striker Harry Kane claimed the primary honor. As the story continues to dominate international sports headlines and digital trending lists, representatives for the player have yet to release a detailed official statement addressing the viral video controversy or the subsequent commercial fallout across the Asian market.
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