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China suspends Mbappé ads after apology backlash

By Drooid · Oct 27, 2026, 23:34 UTC · How we work

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Summary

Kylian Mbappé apologized for calling Mao Zedong a dictator, triggering backlash in China.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said hurtful words will meet joint opposition.
Dongpeng, Mengniu, Milkground and Eastroc Beverage terminated their contracts with Mbappé immediately.
China Football Association lodged a stern protest with Real Madrid, demanding a public apology.
China Media Group suspended La Liga broadcasts featuring Mbappé and removed his ads.

History

In October 2019, the NBA’s Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey tweeted support for Hong Kong protesters, sparking a diplomatic clash. Within days, Chinese tech giant Tencent halted NBA streaming, and the league estimated a $200 million revenue loss from withdrawn sponsorships. Mbappé’s recent Mao Zedong remark provoked similar corporate withdrawals—Mengniu, Eastroc Beverage, and La Liga broadcaster China Media Group—mirroring the 2019 sponsor exodus. These incidents illustrate how athletes’ political statements can trigger swift economic retaliation in China, prompting brands to reassess risk management strategies.

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Historical Context

In October 2019, the NBA’s Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey tweeted support for Hong Kong protesters, sparking a diplomatic clash. Within days, Chinese tech giant Tencent halted NBA streaming, and the league estimated a $200 million revenue loss from withdrawn sponsorships. Mbappé’s recent Mao Zedong remark provoked similar corporate withdrawals—Mengniu, Eastroc Beverage, and La Liga broadcaster China Media Group—mirroring the 2019 sponsor exodus. These incidents illustrate how athletes’ political statements can trigger swift economic retaliation in China, prompting brands to reassess risk management strategies.

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