Fresh from the Ballon d'Or awards ceremony in London, Real Madrid and France forward Kylian Mbappé has been plunged into a major commercial and diplomatic storm in China following comments made on the French digital talk show "The Bridge."
During the show, a discussion arose regarding a viral meme featuring Mbappé’s face superimposed on an image resembling former Chinese leader Mao Zedong. Mbappé was heard remarking that the video was one of his favorites and that he frequently used it with friends. Although the video was subsequently removed from "The Bridge" YouTube channel, recorded snippets circulated widely across Chinese social media platforms like Weibo, triggering massive public outrage.
The backlash quickly translated into severe financial consequences. Major Chinese corporate sponsors, including dairy giant Mengniu and beverage manufacturer Dongpeng, promptly terminated their endorsement contracts with the football star. Both companies issued statements declaring a strict zero-tolerance policy against actions or remarks that hurt the national sentiments of the Chinese people. Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian addressed the issue during a press briefing, noting that society naturally responds against behavior that disrespects public sentiment. Neither Mbappé nor the producers of "The Bridge" have issued an official apology, leaving the player facing significant brand devaluation in one of football's most lucrative global markets.
— Daily Best News Desk • Fearless in the search for truth
Reported by Sports Desk • Edited by the Daily Best News desk. Send corrections to [email protected].
