ONE COMMENT. THREE CHINESE SPONSORS GONE. A STOCK-MARKET SELLOFF. AND A FOOTBALL LEAGUE CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE. 🇨🇳 MEET MAO ZEDONG, THE FOUNDER OF MODERN CHINA. On October 1, 1949, Mao Zedong proclaimed the establishment of the People's Republic of China. To millions of Chinese people, he remains a powerful symbol of their nation's history and identity, despite the devastating consequences of some of his policies. His legacy is complex, but his significance in China is undeniable. Jokes about Mao remain a sensitive subject, and this is precisely why a controversy involving Kylian Mbappé has escalated so dramatically. It started when a video circulated online showing the Real Madrid superstar discussing his favourite memes. He reportedly described a meme featuring his face superimposed on Mao's body, referring to the historical figure as a Chinese dictator. The video has not been independently authenticated by Reuters. Nevertheless, the backlash that followed has been substantial. Here is what happened next. 👇 🚨 1. THREE CHINESE COMPANIES CUT TIES WITH MBAPPÉ. Dongpeng Beverage, dairy giant Mengniu and cheese producer Milkground announced that they were terminating their commercial partnerships with the French superstar, citing opposition to conduct that hurts the feelings of the Chinese people. The precise financial value of these deals has not been disclosed. 🚨 2. CHINA'S STATE BROADCASTER REPORTEDLY SUSPENDED LALIGA COVERAGE. Chinese media reported that China Media Group, the parent organisation of CCTV, suspended broadcasts of LaLiga matches. Advertisements and videos featuring Mbappé were also reportedly removed. This extended the controversy beyond one footballer to an entire league, its commercial relationships and its audience in China. 🚨 3. THE STOCK MARKET FELT THE SHOCKWAVES. Shares in Swiss sportswear company On Holding, which recently partnered with Mbappé, fell as much as 6% during trading before recovering some ground to trade approximately 3.5% lower. Investors faced questions about the potential reputational and commercial risks of associating with the footballer in China. The decline occurred amid the controversy, although it cannot be attributed entirely to Mbappé's comments, and the eventual financial impact remains uncertain. 🚨 4. THE BACKLASH SPREAD ACROSS CHINESE SOCIAL MEDIA. The controversy gained enormous attention on Weibo, where calls to boycott the footballer gained traction. Chinese sports platforms also criticised the remarks, and some promotional content featuring him was reportedly removed. 🚨 5. LALIGA FACED A REPUTATIONAL CRISIS. LaLiga president Javier Tebas apologised to Chinese audiences and said the organisation was working with its Chinese partners to address the situation. The league was now dealing with a controversy it did not originate, with the potential to affect its international reach and commercial relationships. 🚨 6. MBAPPÉ FACED PRESSURE TO ADDRESS THE FALLOUT. Reports subsequently indicated that Mbappé apologised, acknowledged that his comment was ill-judged and expressed respect for the Chinese people and their history. However, an apology does not automatically restore terminated sponsorships or reverse broadcasting decisions. AND THAT IS THE BIGGER STORY. A remark about an internet meme has triggered a chain of events involving sponsorship contracts, a major sportswear company's share price, television broadcasting and the commercial interests of one of football's biggest leagues. Mao Zedong is not viewed by everyone in China in exactly the same way, and his historical legacy remains deeply contested. But his symbolic importance to the country helps explain why the controversy struck such a sensitive nerve. The full financial damage remains unknown, but the commercial and reputational consequences are already significant. Sources: Reuters, Associated Press, ABC News and Investing.com, reporting on October 27, 2026. #Mbappe #China #LaLiga #Football