Chinese Brands Drop Mbappe: Financial Fallout Follows Podcast Remarks
Major dairy and beverage companies ended partnerships with the Real Madrid star after he called a historical figure a dictator.
By Nikolai Patterson ·
The commercial value of Kylian Mbappe in China has taken a sharp hit. Major brands have halted all cooperation with the footballer following a viral video in which he referred to former Chinese leader Mao Zedong as a dictator. The move affects lucrative deals in a market that remains central to the athlete's earning potential.
Dairy firms Mengniu and Shanghai Milkground Food Tech, along with beverage company Eastroc, have ceased all work with the 27-year-old. State-owned broadcaster Migu also pulled Real Madrid’s upcoming match against Racing Santander from its schedule. The game is set for Sunday, and its absence marks a visible break in the broadcast relationship between the club and its Chinese audience.
The incident began with a podcast appearance where Mbappe discussed a popular meme. In the video, which has since been removed, he described a photoshopped image of his face on a military leader. He added that he thought the figure was a Chinese dictator. The remark tapped into a long-running joke about his influence at his club, where fans often call him a dictator because of his perceived control over team decisions.
Real Madrid and La Liga have issued apologies to manage the reaction. Javier Tebas, the league president, established a crisis unit and met with Yao Jing, the Chinese ambassador to Spain, on Wednesday. These steps aim to contain the damage to Spanish football's presence in the region.
Philippe Diallo, the head of the French Football Federation, urged the public to move past the incident. Speaking to Ouest-France on Thursday, Diallo said he hoped the controversy would end quickly. "He has apologised," Diallo noted, adding that the player explained the context well. He believes the team should now leave the matter alone so Mbappe can play his season in the best possible conditions.
China’s state media framed the event as a test of celebrity influence. China Daily reported that the remark triggered a backlash among fans and threatened commercial ties. The outlet described the situation as a reminder of the limits athletes face in the Chinese market. A spokesman for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the government is taking the apology seriously.
