Kylian Mbappé dropped by Chinese brands over ‘dictator’ comment – POLITICO

Major brands in China have dropped Kylian Mbappé over a clip in which the French football megastar appeared to mock Mao Zedong.

In the video, widely shared on X, Mbappé is asked about the funniest internet meme he has seen featuring himself. He said it was of his face photoshopped onto that of “some guy — I think he’s a Chinese dictator.”

In China, jokes about Mao Zedong, the country’s modern founding leader, are considered disrespectful.