French soccer star Kylian Mbappé faced backlash in China on Tuesday, prompting some sponsors to terminate their relationships with him and leading a Chinese state broadcaster to stop airing his games. The controversy arose from a meme involving Mao Zedong that circulated online.
In response to the situation, Mbappé issued an apology in three languages, aiming to address the fallout from the incident. His club, part of the Spanish soccer league, also reacted to the controversy, taking action to safeguard a lucrative media rights deal reportedly valued at over $100 million annually.
The swift response from sponsors and the league underlines the delicate nature of sports relationships with China, a significant market for global athletes. The developments surrounding Mbappé illustrate the increasing scrutiny public figures face regarding their social media presence and the implications that arise from it.
As the situation evolves, it remains to be seen how Mbappé’s career may be impacted and whether further actions will be taken by those involved.
