Kylian Mbappé has issued an apology to China following a controversy over remarks he allegedly made about Mao Zedong, which has led to the termination of his endorsement deals with two Chinese companies. The Real Madrid and France star's apology comes after La Liga president Javier Tebas also issued an official apology to China regarding the incident.
The controversy began when Mbappé reportedly referred to a meme that placed his face on a "Chinese dictator," a comment that deeply offended national sentiments in China, where Mao is revered. The backlash resulted in brands like Dongpeng Beverage and Mengniu terminating their partnerships with the footballer, marking a significant financial and reputational blow in the Chinese market.
Mbappé Apologizes to China for Mao Zedong Remark, Loses Brand Deals
19 stories · 5 sources
Sources
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- Real Madrid face potential financial losses as Mbappe’s China controversy threatens club revenues — Yahoo Sports,
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- Watch: The Mbappé-Chairman Mao controversy explained — BBC World,
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