Chinese Brands Sever Ties With Mbappé

News Desk

BEIJING: French football superstar Kylian Mbappé is facing a severe commercial backlash in East Asia after major Chinese brands abruptly severed lucrative endorsement deals following controversial public remarks regarding historic Chinese leadership.

The controversy erupted after the French national team captain disclosed during a media appearance that his favorite internet meme featured his face superimposed onto a “Chinese dictator”—a clear reference to Communist Party founder Mao Zedong.

The footage circulated rapidly across Chinese social media platforms such as Weibo and Douyin, generating hundreds of millions of views alongside a massive wave of public anger.

Chinese commentators and digital users heavily criticized the Real Madrid forward for showing disrespect toward the country’s political history.

In response to the escalating outrage, several high-profile Chinese corporate partners announced the immediate termination of their sponsorship agreements, removing Mbappé’s image from digital advertisements, billboards, and retail merchandise across mainland China.

The commercial fallout underscores the heightened political sensitivities and digital nationalism that global athletes must navigate when engaging with the lucrative Chinese market, where slights against state icons carry swift financial penalties.

Representatives for Mbappé have not yet issued an official public statement or apology regarding the incident.

Industry analysts suggest that without a formal reconciliation effort, the forward risks long-term exclusion from major commercial opportunities across Asia as corporate sponsors distance themselves from the controversy.