Mbappé Loses Chinese Sponsors After Mao 'Dictator' Remark
Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappé apologized after two major Chinese brands cut ties over a video in which he appeared to call Mao Zedong a dictator.
Kylian Mbappé issued a public apology after Chinese companies Dongpeng and Mengniu terminated their sponsorship deals with the Real Madrid forward, following the viral spread of a video in which he appeared to describe Mao Zedong as a "Chinese dictator."
The footage shows Mbappé discussing internet memes featuring his likeness, saying the funniest one he had seen placed his face on that of "some guy — I think he's a Chinese dictator." The remark was widely interpreted as a reference to a meme in which his image was superimposed onto a photograph of Mao Zedong, the founding leader of the People's Republic of China.
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The commercial fallout extended beyond the two brand departures. State-run Chinese digital newspaper The Paper reported that public television was suspending broadcasts of La Liga matches, a significant blow to the Spanish top flight's visibility in one of the world's largest sports markets.
Mbappé's comments, though apparently offhand, landed in politically sensitive territory. Mao remains an officially revered historical figure in China, and any characterization of him as a dictator can draw swift condemnation from state media, brands, and consumers operating within the country's tightly managed information environment. The episode underscores the reputational and commercial risks global athletes face when their candid remarks intersect with the political sensitivities of foreign markets.
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