Kylian Mbappe faces €6.7m sponsorship blow after China controversy

Kylian Mbappe is facing significant commercial repercussions after two major Chinese brands terminated their sponsorship agreements with the Real Madrid forward following a controversy over comments about former Chinese leader Mao Zedong.

According to Le Monde, the two deals, involving beverage company Dongpeng and dairy giant Mengniu, were reportedly worth approximately 50 million yuan (€6.7 million). However, the figure represents the estimated value of the contracts rather than confirmed financial losses for the French international.

The controversy erupted after a video circulated online showing Mbappé discussing an internet meme that superimposed his face onto an image of Mao. The 27-year-old reportedly referred to the historical figure as a Chinese dictator, triggering widespread criticism on Chinese social media.

Dongpeng, whose Bushuila drinks brand featured the forward in advertising campaigns, subsequently announced the termination of its partnership. Mengniu, which promotes its Miaoke Landuo cheese products, followed with a similar announcement.

Mbappé apologises amid growing backlash

Mbappé has since apologised for his remarks, acknowledging that his comments were poorly judged and had offended people in China and Chinese communities worldwide.

He also reaffirmed his respect for the Chinese people and their history, insisting that causing offence had never been his intention.

Despite the apology, the fallout has extended beyond the two sponsorship agreements. Reports indicate that advertisements featuring the French forward have been removed from Chinese platforms, while Chinese state broadcaster CCTV has suspended broadcasts of La Liga matches involving him.

Real Madrid could face wider commercial consequences

The controversy could also affect Real Madrid’s commercial interests in China, a significant overseas market for the Spanish giants.

According to Le Monde, the club has approximately 97 million fans in China, making it a particularly important territory for sponsorships and broadcasting exposure. However, the financial impact of the latest developments on Real Madrid has not been quantified.

While the reported €6.7 million value of Mbappé’s two sponsorship deals provides an indication of the commercial stakes, it does not establish how much the player has actually lost.

Any additional consequences, including potential damage to other endorsement agreements or the club’s commercial relationships, remain uncertain.

For now, the full financial cost of the controversy remains unclear as Mbappé attempts to contain the fallout following his public apology.