Paris St-Germain French footballer Kylian Mbappé, also known as Mbappé, has faced backlash from Chinese sponsors and internet users after comments he made during an interview were deemed disrespectful towards China. In the interview, Mbappé was asked about his favorite emoji, and he responded with an image where his face is superimposed onto that of a Chinese autocrat. The 'East Pioneer Beverage Group' announced the termination of its partnership with Mbappé following the interview. China's sponsors have severed ties with Mbappé. The East Pioneer Beverage Group's statement said, "We firmly oppose and do not tolerate any behavior that offends national sentiments. As of today, we have terminated all cooperation with Mbappé." The partnership began on April 20, 2026, and lasted only six months. The Mengtuo Blue Dairy company also stated: "As of today, our company has terminated all cooperation with Kylian Mbappé. We firmly oppose and do not tolerate any actions that harm the feelings of the Chinese people." Products featuring Mbappé's image, such as 'Cool Water' and 'Mengtuo Blue Milkground,' were immediately taken off the shelves. China Dairy Group, Inner Mongolia Mengniu Dairy (Group) Co., Ltd., also swiftly responded to the incident, saying, "As of today, our company has terminated all cooperation with Kylian Mbappé. We firmly oppose and do not tolerate any actions that harm the feelings of the Chinese people."
Mbappé's comments and the subsequent backlash highlight the sensitive nature of cross-cultural interactions in the global sports arena, particularly in the context of strong national sentiments in China. The fast-paced and often unpredictable nature of celebrity-sponsorship deals in the sports world makes such incidents all the more concerning for multinational brands aiming to navigate the complexities of international markets.