A video surfaced in late October 2026 showing Kylian Mbappe, in an interview, calling a meme of his face on Mao Zedong 'some guy, I think he's a Chinese dictator.' Two Chinese sponsors dropped him and La Liga broadcasts were pulled in China over the remarks. China's largest dairy producer and a major sports drink company severed ties with Mbappe. La Liga apologised, saying it deeply regretted his comments, and Mbappe has since apologised for what he called ill-judged comments, saying he understood they hurt many people in China.