Mbappé Faces Backlash in China as Three Companies Cut Ties
French soccer star Kylian Mbappé is facing backlash in China, with at least three companies cutting ties after his remarks apparently referring to Mao Zedong as a dictator.
Springfield Holyoke, MA, October 27, 2026 —
French soccer star Kylian Mbappé is facing backlash in China after remarks that apparently referred to Mao Zedong as a dictator. At least three companies have cut ties with him, according to the information provided.
The companies’ names, the nature of their relationships with Mbappé and the timing of their decisions were not provided. The remarks themselves were not included, so their exact wording and context are unclear. The information also does not specify where or when Mbappé made the remarks, or how the companies described their decisions.
The account characterizes the response as backlash in China but does not detail who has criticized Mbappé or how that reaction has developed. It does not identify any statements from Mbappé, his representatives or the companies, or say whether he has responded.
As a result, the available details establish that at least three companies have ended ties with the French player following remarks apparently referring to Mao as a dictator, but leave key aspects of the episode unconfirmed. No further information was provided about possible additional companies, the commercial arrangements involved or what may happen next.
Story summarized from the original created by E. EDUARDO CASTILLO, Associated Press on www.wwlp.com, see more information here.
Media gallery
