Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé sparked fierce backlash across mainland China after revealing in a digital interview that his favorite meme features his face photoshopped onto an image of a Chinese dictator, widely identified as Mao Zedong. The remarks prompted Chinese state broadcasters to halt La Liga transmissions, while major corporate sponsors immediately severed ties with the French star.
Fantasy & Market Impact
- Sponsorship Value Erosion: The immediate termination of partnerships by major brands deals a severe blow to Mbappé’s off-pitch commercial valuation in the Asian market.
- Broadcast Reach Restrictions: With state media pulling matches involving Real Madrid, viewing figures and regional engagement metrics face an abrupt contraction.
- Club Brand Exposure: Real Madrid navigates a complex public relations landscape as regional commercial partners distance themselves from the marquee signing.
Sponsors Sever Ties Following Interview Revelations
The controversy ignited following Mbappé’s appearance on the digital interview program The Bridge, where the forward was asked about internet memes depicting his likeness. The French international laughed and admitted that his preferred image involves his face superimposed onto a Chinese dictator, adding that he frequently shares the graphic with friends while playing video games. Major domestic brands swiftly moved to distance themselves from the player. Dongpeng Beverage Group issued a statement declaring zero tolerance for actions that hurt national sentiments and announced the immediate termination of all commercial cooperation with Mbappé. Mengniu Dairy similarly confirmed the immediate cessation of its contractual agreements.
😂🇫🇷 Kylian Mbappé avoue qu’il rigole en voyant les memes qui le représentent en… dictateur. 😭@Thebridge_show #Mbappé #Football #Memes #France pic.twitter.com/MXgKh8Hjjq
State Broadcaster Pulls La Liga and Real Madrid Coverage
The fallout extended rapidly into state media channels and digital platforms. China Central Television (CCTV) initiated a complete blackout on broadcasts featuring Real Madrid matches and any content connected to Mbappé. Digital advertisements linked to the player were scrubbed from official networks, and reports concerning the striker disappeared from CCTV News and official web portals. Social media platform Xiaohongshu clarified that its content partnership with Mbappé had concluded on December 31, 2024, and confirmed ongoing efforts to audit and remove related promotional materials. Additional brands, including cheese brand Milkground, On Running, and luxury house Dior, also removed promotional imagery featuring the player from their official social channels.
| Brand Partner | Action Taken | Status Date |
|---|---|---|
| Dongpeng Beverage | Terminated partnership | October 2026 |
| Mengniu Dairy | Terminated partnership | October 2026 |
| Milkground | Terminated partnership | October 2026 |
| Xiaohongshu | Confirmed partnership expired | December 2024 |
Platform Audits and Commercial Realignments
Domestic sports media outlets also condemned the remarks, with the prominent portal Dongqiudi stating that the player’s comments caused emotional damage to Chinese fans. As global brands including Nike, Hublot, and Rimowa quietly purged promotional content from their localized feeds, the commercial landscape surrounding the player faces an unprecedented regional contraction.
Disclaimer: The fantasy and market insights provided are for informational and entertainment purposes only and do not constitute financial or betting advice.
